Furthermore, a novel sorafenib derivative, SC-43, (Fig. 1a) was developed to display a more potent anti-HCC activity than does sorafenib, as measured by the enhanced Src-homology protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1 activity, phospho-STAT3 (P-STAT3) inhibition, apoptosis induction, even in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells, and showed more desirable survival benefits than did sorafenib in orthotopic HCCs10. Here, STAT3 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.