CXCL11, a cytokine involved in recruiting activated T cells to inflammation sites, was found to be overexpressed in HCC and in α2δ1+ HCC TICs.98 Knockdown of CXCL11 suppressed the expression of stemness genes, sphere formation, tumorigenicity and chemoresistance to doxorubicin in the α2δ1+ HCC TICs, whereas overexpression reversed these phenotypes.98 CXCR3, the receptor for CXCL11, stimulates downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signalling to promote cancer stemness in HCC cells,98 indicating a positive role for inflammatory CXCL11 in HCC cancer stemness and progression. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.