IL6 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Although the molecular mechanisms by which chronic inflammation increases the risk of HCC are not completely known, compelling evidence gathered over the past few years has demonstrated the roles of inflammatory factors, such as IL-6, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in HCC development [142].