Previous study has indicated that BMP2 induces apoptosis of myeloma cells through the modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which is a key factor in mediating immune suppression in tumor microenvironment and responsible for the transcription of several important miRNAs, and the phosphorylated-STAT3 could directly bind to the promoter region of miR-146a and transcriptionally activate its expression42, 43. The gene discussed is BMP2; the disease is plasma cell myeloma.