Studies have reported the crucial role of pDCs in the postoperative recurrence of HCC, where the IFNα produced by pDCs drives the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells via the liver cell IRF1/CX3CL1 signaling pathway, creating an immunosuppressive environment that inhibits the tumor-killing activity of CD8+ T cells and promotes the postoperative recurrence of HCC [8]. The gene discussed is IRF1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.