STAT3 and plasma cell myeloma: The activation of STAT3 in myeloma cells results in the upregulation of antiapoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, such as Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Mcl-1, thus providing MM cells with a survival advantage (Pettersson et al, 1992; Catlett-Falcone et al, 1999; Feinman et al, 1999; Puthier et al, 1999).