Ikeda et al19 investigated influence of long‐term IFN administration on the rate of occurrence of HCC in patients with HBV‐related cirrhosis and found that cumulative occurrence rates of HCC in the group treated with IFN and the untreated group were 4.5% and 13.3%, respectively, at the end of 3 years; 7.0% and 19.6%, respectively, at the end of 5 years; and 17.0% and 30.8%, respectively, at the end of 10 years. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.