TNF and cancer: During the initiation phase, inflammatory cytokines, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα), IL-1β, and IL-6, activate transcription factors like Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) in cancer cells, triggering genes that regulate cell survival, proliferation, and growth [47].