(73) found that activation of the HCC cells IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway was possible by upregulating the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) to stimulate the transformation of normal liver fibroblasts (LFs) toward carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), thus promoting the initiation of liver cancer. Here, STAT3 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.