In line with observations from the 2020–2021 cohort, the IL-6, JAK-STAT and JAK1 signaling pathways remained persistently upregulated in the LC group both at day 90–180 and more than 180 days compared to the CC group (Extended Data Fig. 5c,d). The gene discussed is SOAT1; the disease is laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.