VEGFA and neoplasm: Previously, activated STAT3 has been shown to promote cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis and to protect tumor cells from apoptosis by regulating associated genes, including Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, Fas, cyclin D1, c-myc, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9, myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL-1) and survivin (16–19).