STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: However, an anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effect through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-induced factor 1α (HIF1α), Janus kinase 2/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) inhibition, was observed in hepatic carcinoma [22].