Notably, IL-6 was the marker most closely linked to the preoperative HCC group, and IL-10, IL-8 and MCP-1 contributed the most to this increase (r = 0.767, P = 0.000; r = 0.720, P = 0.001; r = 0.612, P = 0.005; respectively); there was also a positive correlation between IL-10 and IL-8 (r = 0.473, P = 0.041). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.