The SNP rs8064821 was associated with approximately 10-month survival advantage compared with noncarriers in patients with resected pancreatic cancer.25 In addition, Persico et al claimed a strong association between haplotypes carrying the rs4969170 A allele and resistance to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.26 Although it could be hypothesized that the latter association is related to underlying etiology of HCC, no studies have specifically addressed the role of SOCS3 polymorphisms in HCC so far. The gene discussed is SOCS3; the disease is chronic hepatitis C virus infection.