VEGFA and hepatocellular carcinoma: Furthermore, STAT3 regulates many genes directly involved in the progression of HCC: (1) inflammation related genes: IL-6, IFN, gp130, NF-κB; (2) cell survival related genes: Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, Survivin, XIAP; (3) angiogenesis related genes: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), FGF, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF); (4) cell proliferation related genes: Cyclins, p21; (5) tumor invasion and metastasis related genes: cyclooxigenase (COX)-2/MMPs; (6) oxidative stress related gene: CYP450 [97].