In addition, the levels of cytokines IL-18 and IL-1α also increased, which is consistent with the previous reports that suggested IL-18 mediates NK-cell differentiation and maturation to suppress liver metastasis of colorectal cancer29 and that membrane IL-1α inhibits the development of hepatocellular carcinoma via promoting NK-cell activation28. This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and hepatocellular carcinoma.