IL-17 appeared to be helpful in HBV clearance [SC group, odds ratio (OR) = 1.468, 95%confidence interval (CI) = 1.080–1.995, P = 0.014] and protective against hepatoma development (hepatoma group, OR = 0.933, 95%CI = 0.910–0.957, P < 0.001). This evidence concerns the gene IL17A and hepatocellular carcinoma.