In rare cell types, such as epithelial cells transformed with oncogenic RAS and breast cancer stem-like cells, depletion of autophagy associated gene, such as Atg7, Atg12, or FIP200 causes decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 secretion and impaired Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) or TGFβ/Smad pathways, resulting in abrogation of cell invasion and tumor initiation [95,96]. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and breast cancer.