In previous studies, shikonin and its derivatives were observed to inhibit the growth of tumor cells by activating miR-17-5p/phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN)/protein kinase B (Akt), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), among other pathways32. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is neoplasm.