The similar associations between inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α) and both sPD-1 and sPD-L1, as well as the positive association between sPD-1 and sPD-L1 levels, suggest a similar origin or regulation of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 in patients with HCC. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.