In ccRCC, in vitro experiments have shown that TIM-1 can induce IL-6 expression, thereby activating STAT-3, promoting angiogenesis through the IL-6/STAT-3 pathway, which is conducive to tumour growth and metastasis (Cuadros et al., 2014). The gene discussed is HAVCR1; the disease is nonpapillary renal cell carcinoma.