STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: These pathologic processes recruit TNF-α, IL-6, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α/retinoid X receptor, 5′−AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase, NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1/sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1, PI3K/Akt–sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1, JAK–signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), and other signaling molecules to promote the development of HCC (11).