STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Conclusion: These findings reveal the underlying mechanism of hepatocytic Kras/Erk-driven mTOR activation and its downstream targets (PEG3 and STAT3) in HCC, identify PEG3 as a new prognostic biomarker for HCC with Kras/Erk and mTOR hyperactivation, and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for this subset of HCC patients.