For instance, interleukin (IL) 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) have been linked to the pre-cancer or initiation (formation) of HCC. This evidence concerns the gene CCL2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.