HCV infection increases IL‐6 and other proinflammatory cytokines production, leading to STAT3 activation, which drives uncontrolled hepatocyte proliferation and upregulation of antiapoptotic genes such as B‐cell lymphoma‐extra‐large (Bcl‐xL) and CCND1, promoting HCC development [417]. Here, STAT3 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.