The activation of STAT3 results in expression of many target genes required for tumor cell survival (e.g. Bcl-XL, Mcl-1 and survivin), proliferation (e.g. cyclin D1 and c-myc) and angiogenesis [e.g. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] as well as metastasis [16]. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.