STAT3 and infectious otitis media: Moreover, expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-11, which are key protumorigenic mediators in the AOM/DSS model and can signal both via STAT3 and ERK1/2 (28, 32, 33), was increased in Phd2+/– tumors compared with WT control tumors (Figure 3F).