Background: The hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) localize at the space of Disse in the liver and have multiple functions. They are identified as the major contributor to hepatic fibrosis. Some manuscripts mentioned that activated HSCs predicted prognoses of hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of HSCs and the role of IL-6 / Stat3 pathway on HCC progression. Methods: HCC cells (Hep G2 and Huh 7) were co-cultured with HSC (LX2 and Li90). The viability and migration ability of cancer cells were detected. Also, the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition marker (E-cadherin), stem cell marker (EpCAM and CD44), TGF-b and p-STAT3 of cancer cells were evaluated. Then the IL-6 neutralization was performed during HCC cells and HSCs co-culture. The viability and migration ability of cancer cells were detected. Also, the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition marker (E-cadherin), stem cell marker (EpCAM and CD44) and p-STAT3 of cancer cells were evaluated. Results: Co-culture with hepatic stellate cell increased cancer cell viability and migration ability. The expression of E-cadherin, EpCAM and CD44 of cancer cells also increased after co-culture with HSCs. The IL-6 expression and secretion of HSCs were elevated by cancer cell stimulation. The over-expressed IL-6 activated STAT3 of cancer cell showed as the level of phosphorylated STAT3 increased. Neutralized IL-6 during co-culture significantly decrease the viability and migration ability of cancer cells. Also, the expression of E-cadherin, EpCAM and CD44 of cancer cells decreased. Conclusions: HSCs might promote HCC progression through IL-6 / STAT3 pathway.