In a syngeneic carcinogen-induced immune competent HNSCC mouse model, a small molecule inhibitor HNC0014, targeting cMET/STAT3/CD44 and PD-L1, was shown to reduce tumor growth, pSTAT3 and PD-L1 levels in tumors and increase T cell frequencies in the circulation most efficiently when combined with anti-PD-L1 treatment [48]. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.