IL6 and hepatocellular carcinoma: The IL-6 promoter methylation level was significantly lower in patients with HBV-associated HCC (median 53.59%, interquartile range 52.01–54.75%) than those with CHB (median 56.05%, interquartile range 54.65–57.67%; P<0.001) but higher than that in HCs (median 52.51%, interquartile range 50.21–53.56%; P=0.026).