Additionally, in HCC-siRNA-STAT3 cells, IL-17-induced expression of IL-8, MMP2, and VEGF were significantly inhibited, while IL-17-induced IL-6 upregulation was not affected (Figure 2B and 2E, and Additional file 3, Figure S3B and S3D). This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and hepatocellular carcinoma.