First, in HCC cells exposed to STAT3-targeted siRNA (HCC-siRNA-STAT3), IL-17-induced AKT phosphorylation was not affected, while in HCC cells exposed to AKT-targeted siRNA (HCC-siRNA-AKT), IL-17-induced STAT3 phosphorylation was significantly reduced (Figure 2B and 2C, and Additional file 3, Figure S3B and S3C). The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.