The reader should also be aware that although TGF-β can inhibit liver tumor initiation and early development by suppressing cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting cytokine and chemokine expression initially, in later stages of HCC development, TGF-β can become a pro-oncogenic factor, promoting tumor progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis.96 Here, TGFB1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.