CASP3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In vitro experiments with HCC cell lines (PLC/PRF/5, HuH7, HepG2, Hep3B, and HCCLM3 cells) showed that ART administration markedly augmented the concentrations of p-ERK and p-STAT3 and was able to induce increased levels of ROS, which led to the suppression of Bcl-2 expression, an enhancement in Bax expression, a rise in caspase-3/7 activity, and cell apoptosis.