Il6 deficiency also reduced hepatic mRNA levels of Stat3 target genes (Birc5, Bcl2l1 and Ccnd1;Supplementary Fig. 6c), cyclins (Ccna2, Ccnb1, Ccnb2;Supplementary Fig. 6d), and markers of proliferation (Mki67;Supplementary Fig. 6e) and HCC (Afp;Supplementary Fig. 6e) in livers from FGF19-expressing mice, further demonstrating the role of IL-6 in mediating FGF19-driven tumour growth. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.