These murine cancers, share pathologic and biochemical features with tobacco-related human OSCC, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression downregulation of p16 (164), elevated STAT1 (166), STAT3 (164, 165), overexpression of SOCS1, -3 (167), elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF) and MMPs (136, 168). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and cancer.