Mechanistically, ALKBH5 activation of the JNK and ERK pathways, through upregulation of MAP3K8, modulates IL-8 expression and promotes macrophage recruitment, facilitating HCC cell proliferation and metastasis [61].Similarly, upregulated ALKBH5 in hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells was found to be a key effector associated with macrophage M2 polarization [129]. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK8 and hepatocellular carcinoma.