The degree of SNAI2/Slug overexpression in primary human glioblastoma specimens and its effects on growth and invasion by glioma cells are comparable to those of two other transcription factors involved in gliomagenesis, i.e. HIF1A and STAT3. Both overexpression and knockdown studies indicate that SNAI2/Slug increases glioblastoma growth and invasion in vitro. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is glioblastoma.