STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: All DEN-injected foz/foz mice developed HCC by 6 mths vs. 0/10 lean Wt. At 3 mths, there were more dysplastic hepatocytes in DEN-injected foz/foz than Wt, with increased liver injury (serum ALT), hepatocyte apoptosis (M30-positive cells) and proliferation (cyclin D1, cyclin E, PCNA), but neither NF-κB nor STAT3 activation.