LIF and hepatocellular carcinoma: The progression of chronic liver disease and, at the end stage, the growth of HCC is associated with persistent tissue injury, leading to a chronic inflammatory response in the organ reflected by an imbalance in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.3, 4, 5 Members of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family such as IL-6, oncostatin M (OSM), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and cardiotrophin share the glycoprotein 130 (gp130) for signal transduction.