The association of the IL-1β polymorphisms with HCC was independent of the known risk factors, such as the presence of liver cirrhosis, older age, male sex and high HBV DNA levels [3], and independent from the phases of chronic HBV infection, in detail HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative CHB and HBeAg-negative infection. This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and hepatocellular carcinoma.