Our data show that serum <i>miR-122</i> expression level remained undetectable in most of the patients with cirrhosis (stage IV fibrosis), suggesting that the pro-survival UPR signaling increases the risk of HCC through STAT3-mediated suppression of <i>miR-122</i>.
Thus, novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat hepatocellular carcinoma in the context of NASH and cirrhosis are urgently needed.<b>Experimental Design:</b> Constitutive activation of STAT3 is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma tumors.
Although Stat3 expression and phosphorylation was not altered in HCV and ALD cirrhosis, Stat3 DNA-binding was not detected in all ALD and most HCV samples.