When CA was added to Sf, ERK1/2 or STAT3 inhibition in both cell lines resulted in a marked potentiation of the cell proliferation-inhibitory effect of the combined treatment, indicating that both ERK1/2 and STAT3 protect HCC cells from the antiproliferative effect of the Sf/CA combination (Tables 1B and 2B, columns 9). This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.