Interleukin-6 released from α-SMA+ CAFs induces the expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) through activation of a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in neutrophils and thereby promotes immunosuppression in the TME of hepatocellular carcinoma [38]. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.