The expression of IL-6 in the LC group was the highest, followed by that in the CHB and HCC groups, which significantly differed from that in the HI (P = 0.000; P = 0.000; P = 0.011) and SL-HBV (P = 0.000; P = 0.002; P = 0.030) groups (Fig. 1D). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and hepatocellular carcinoma.