Through chip screening, the three lncRNAs were all upregulated in persistent infection, and studies have confirmed that they are closely related to apoptosis and tumour proliferation23, 24, 25; thus, we discuss the role of MIAT, ZEB1‐AS1 and IRF1 in the processes of persistent infection and anti‐host cell apoptosis. Here, IRF1 is linked to neoplasm.