STAT3 and neoplasm: Collectively, the findings of these studies implicate two key points: (i) the importance of understanding upstream cell signaling cues that would block STAT3 activation selectively in tumor, stromal or immune cells; and (ii) the effects of combination with additional pharmacological agents to overcome the deleterious “side effects” of STAT3 inhibition in a particular immune cell type, such as macrophages, as demonstrated with the combination of ruxolitinib and celecoxib in the TNBC model.