IFNA1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Although the advent of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) has spurred a trend toward type I IFN-free regimens in chronic hepatitis C (CHC), IFN therapy remains a significant therapeutic agent due to its antitumor efficacy against HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and an unexpected high recurrence rate of HCC after IFN-free therapy [12,15–17].