STAT3 and colitis: Here, utilizing mouse model of colitis-related colon carcinoma induced by the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM), followed by the inflammatory agent dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) [33], we found that Sdc1 deficiency results in increased susceptibility to colitis-associated cancer, which was characterized by higher local production of IL-6 and activation of STAT3, as well as induction of several STAT3 target genes that act as important effectors of colonic tumorigenesis.