Through the use of shRNAi knockdown we have also showed that STAT-1 is required for maximal activation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in response to IL-6, while knockout of STAT-3 in a colon cancer cell line had little or no effect on IL-6 induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is malignant colon neoplasm.