STAT3 and neoplasm: Critical molecules involved in the promotion of tumor cell proliferation include inflammatory transcription factors [such as NF-κ B and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)], adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) as well as inflammatory cytokines and enzymes (TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, SAA) and matrix metalloproteases (Gómez-Ambrosi et al., 2006; Aggarwal, 2009).