STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Multiple pathways associated with inflammation, such as activation of the transcription factors Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT-3), cytokine production, and alterations of cellular signaling pathways can result in the development of HCC and are associated with an HBV infection [14,28].