IL-6, a cytokine that can be secreted by various cell types, such as monocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells, and hepatocytic liver cancer progenitors 28, 29, was identified as a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine and involved in the regulation of acute and chronic inflammation, which are closely related to HCC progression 30. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.