Further, while we provide evidence that stem-cell-like marker expressions (CD133, SOX2, OCT3/4) are inhibited by STAT3 KD in these cells, it is beyond the scope of our present study to further investigate the phenotypic nature of these tumor-initiating cells or to test whether inhibition of STAT3 can prevent tumor recurrence in vivo. The gene discussed is SOX2; the disease is neoplasm.