Inhibition of SphK2 can also increase ceramide levels and decrease S1P levels, which in turn decreases the expression and activity of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), Akt, ERK1/2, p21, p53 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), leading to autophagy in A498 kidney adenocarcinoma cells [209]. Here, STAT3 is linked to renal cell adenocarcinoma.