These aptamers significantly suppress the growth of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors in vivo by selectively inhibiting the activation of Stat3 and its downstream proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, survivin, VEGF, Cyclin D1, and c-myc. The gene discussed is MCL1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.