STAT3 is closely linked with tumorigenesis and its role in cancer is indicated by numerous avenues of evidence, including that STAT3 regulates the expression of genes that mediate proliferation (e.g., c-myc and cyclin D1), suppress apoptosis (e.g., Bcl-xL and survivin), or promote angiogenesis (e.g., VEGF) (reviewed in [22]). The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is cancer.