The splenocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with STAT3-blocked (Decoy) or Scrambled ODN-treated HCC vaccine were cultured in the presence or absence of mitomycin C-treated H22 cells, respectively, for 5d in vitro, after which the proliferation of the splenocytes was detected. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.