This can be explained by findings showing that chronic inflammation (persistent infection, repeated exposure to irritants, autoimmune diseases) or oncogene activation can lead to the expression of pro-inflammatory transcription factors such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and hypoxia inducible factor 1 α (HIF-1α). The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is autoimmune disease.