A tumour-suppressive role for DUSP3 has been further supported by a recent study demonstrating that L-methionine epigenetically induces DUSP3 expression, resulting in decreased activation of the ERK1/2 pathway and enhanced sensitivity to sorafeninb in HepG2 cells and a rat model of sorafenib-resistant HCC [46]. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.