Sensitivity analyses did not change the conclusions about the most tested variables, whereas the results for the following 14 tested predictors were inconsistent: preexisting malignancy, symptoms of anorexia, antiviral therapy, immunoglobulin therapy, CRP ≥10 mg/L, shock, acute liver injury, MON and PLT count, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, PaO2, SpO2, and IL-6 (Additional file 2: Table S108-S109). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is cancer.