Although TFs are considered to be less optimal drug targets in general, it is not impossible to develop TF-specific drugs as witnessed in the development of a STAT4 inhibitor, Lisofylline, for treating diabetes and STAT3 inhibitors for cancer treatment39, 40 and in the small-molecule-mediated inhibition of FOXM1 transcriptional programme41. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is diabetes mellitus.