In relation with this process, classical and non-classical monocytes purified from CCA and HCC patients presented a downregulation of the mRNA expression of the fractalkine receptor, CX3CR1, at T0, when compared to the HG, with partial recovery at T1, indicating a possible differentiation process in these monocyte subsets occurring before surgical procedure. The gene discussed is CX3CR1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.