STAT3 and neoplasm: Along with other molecules that drive inflammation and tumor growth/spread, STAT3 contributes to tumor progression by upregulating cytokines, growth factors, and matrix metalloproteases.44, 47–50 In fact, STAT3 activation is common in tumor tissue, leading to increased growth and invasiveness via transcription of genes involved in mitosis, cell motility, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix remodeling, and other activities.48, 51–56 Hence, both STAT3 signaling and various molecules under STAT3 transcriptional control have been explored as therapeutic targets in cancer.57–60