The α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are found to be an indicator of recurrence after direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapy for HCC patients with hepatitis C virus infection (11, 12), while another study has demonstrated that IL-11 is associated with HCC recurrence in patients after surgical resection, and blocking IL-11-STAT3 signaling could help prevent post-surgical recurrence (13). Here, IL11 is linked to hepatitis C virus infection.