STAT3 and neoplasm: Once released, IL-6 aids in tumor promotion and progression by activating major proliferative pathways (STAT3, MAPK, and PI-3K), inhibiting many pro-apoptotic mediators (p53 and forkhead box (FOX) proteins) via AKT signaling, and inducing the activation of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1) via STAT3.