It has been reported that the serum L-Cn levels were stepwise altered in HBV-cirrhosis and HCC, and plasma L-Cn levels remain lower in patients with HBsAg loss after Peg-IFNα based treatment (12, 23), suggesting L-Cn plays a critical role in affecting the outcome of chronic HBV infection. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.