IL-6 activates transcription factor STAT3, phosphorylates Jun-(N)-terminal Kinase (JNK) and ERK, indirectly alters AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-S6K signaling, and ultimately promotes hepatocarcinogenesis in an obesity-induced chronic inflammatory microenvironment [44]. Here, MTOR is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.