PTPN6 interacts with gankyrin, an oncoprotein, leading to the secretion of IL-6, which induces signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and promotes HCC development (56); Sakurai et al (56) reported that gankyrin can interact with PTPN6 to induce STAT3 activation and IL-6 secretion. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.