In order to gain a better understanding of cytokine and growth factor dynamics in the course of CHC, we measured the levels of 12 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-2, IL-22, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9 and TNF-α) and 13 growth factors (Ang-2, EGF, EPO, FGF-basic, G-CSF, GM-CSF, HGF, M-CSF, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, SCF, TGF-α and VEGF) in sera taken at four different time points (before treatment, after four and eight weeks of DAA therapy and 12 weeks after treatment, e.g., SVR12). Here, HGF is linked to cryohydrocytosis.