fragilis (ETBF), from ApcMin/+ mice, exhibited mucosal dysplasia with increased proportions of T helper (Th) 17 (CD4+ IL-17+) and Th1 (CD4+ IFN-γ+) cells in lamina propria, thus activating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) dependent signalling pathway in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CRC) (Wong et al., 2017). Here, STAT3 is linked to colitis.