TLR4 signalling and Stat3 are suggested to be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis and tumour progression, and TLR4 signalling was shown to promote HCC proliferation in a Stat3‐dependent manner.17, 18, 45 Therefore, the anti‐apoptotic effect of inflammation that we report here might be beneficial in conditions where apoptosis contributes to liver injury. The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is neoplasm.