STAT3 and esophageal cancer: For example, over-expression of miR-124 induced inhibition of cell proliferation, block of G1/S phase transition and cell apoptosis in esophageal cancer by down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of STAT3 [22] and the tumor suppressor liver kinase B1 could inhibit esophageal cancer cell proliferation through suppression of STAT3 transaction [23].