IFNA1 and central nervous system cancer: This study also shows an effect of TANK on constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation, a transcription factor that mediates upregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which in turn facilitates glioma development by promoting angiogenesis and cell proliferation.45 The impact of TANK on this signaling pathway may well be indirect, as TANK is known to contribute to a primary IFN response,46 which then triggers a secondary response involving STAT3 phosphorylation.47 However, TANK could also be involved in an alternatively STAT3 activating pathway downstream from the tyrosine kinase BMX.48