STAT2 and cancer: STAT proteins are transcription factors that mediate various cellular processes among them differentiation, proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis.[23] Aberrant expression and pleiotropic effects of STATs such as those of STAT2 result in dysregulation of antiviral immunity and tumor pathogenesis.[5,24] Accumulating evidence has highlighted the role of STATs as therapy targets or immune checkpoint inhibitors in various cancers.[25,26] However, the role of STAT2 in KIRC remains controversial.