Interleukin-8 level as a prognostic marker in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization

•The study measured pretreatment levels of 11 cytokines including IL-8.•TACE refractoriness and LT-free survival were evaluated in 119 patients with HCC.•Combined AFP and IL-8 levels independently predicted overall TACE refractoriness.•High IL-8 level was also associated with poor LT-free survival.•Serum IL-8 level is a useful prognostic marker in TACE-treated patients with HCC.