TNF and hepatocellular carcinoma: Activated macrophages secrete specific proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 17 (IL-17), and IL-6) and activate signaling pathways (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)), increasing the HCC cells’ growth and inhibiting their apoptosis.