CD68 and neoplasm: To further assess the expression of CXCR2 ligands in HCC, we analyzed the mRNA transcript levels of CXCL-1, −2, −5, and −8 in 30 HCC tumor samples with matched peri-tumoral and non-tumorous liver tissues (Additional file 3: Figure S1), We also examined local immune cell infiltration in the same samples by IHC staining for CD3, CD15, and CD68.