Additionally, studies have shown that HHT induces a mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway through the upregulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression, TNF, Fas cell surface death receptor (FAS), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and p53 in a human hepatoma cell line QGY-7703 (11). Here, FAS is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.