STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DMU-212 on the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), activator protein-1 (AP-1), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) transcription factors, using a two-stage model of rat hepatocarcinogenesis (HCC) in Wistar rats.