STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: To enforce strict regulation for advanced HCC, sorafenib is the first oral targeted medication approved by the FDA, and its therapeutic effects are accomplished through the inhibition of several kinases and signaling pathways, including the VEGFR kinase, EGFR kinase, PDGFR kinase, MAPK, NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways [4].