As shown in Figure 6, compared to TACE treatment, significant improvements in CD4+(MD=9.54, 95%CI: 7.43-11.65; P<0.01), CD4+/CD8+(MD=0.63, 95%CI: 0.45-0.80; P<0.01), and NK(MD=9.74, 95%CI: 5.60-13.89; P<0.001) were achieved in patients receiving thalidomide plus TACE treatment, showing that thalidomide plus TACE may have a better effect in improving the quality of life in patients with primary HCC when compared with TACE treatment. This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and hepatocellular carcinoma.