In future, blocking the secretion of IL-6 and synergizing with the inhibitors of IL-6/STAT3 pathway signaling is a more effective application prospect for targeting therapeutic of HCC (117–119) Also, as previously mentioned, the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway may lead to the development of HCC by promoting the expression of AFP. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.