NT5E and hepatocellular carcinoma: In addition, the activation of CD73-adenosine signaling in patients with HCC has been shown to promote inflammation and induce increased levels of E-selectin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), IL-1, and TNF-α in the blood of patients with HCC [122].