LncRNA HOXD-AS1, which is controlled by STAT3 and increased in HCC, was discovered to increase SRY-related high-mobility-group box 4 (SOX4) expression by binding competitively to miR-130a-3p and activating two direct SOX4 targets, EZH2 and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2). This evidence concerns the gene HAGLR and hepatocellular carcinoma.