Several receptor tyrosine kinase signalling cascades, protein folding regulators, epigenetic regulators, Wnt pathway mediators and tumour microenvironment interactions have previously been implicated in modulating the development and progression of MPNST.35 Here, we demonstrate a pivotal role of the redox regulator Ref-1 and transcription factor STAT3 in driving MPNST cell survival and proliferation. This evidence concerns the gene APEX1 and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.