STAT3 and neoplasm: In addition, downregulation of miR-34a leads to less binding of miR-34a to its downstream target, IL6R (encoding IL-6 receptor), thereby upregulating IL-6R levels, which ultimately promoted IL-6-induced STAT3 expression, forming a STAT3/miR-34a/IL-6R feedback loop, and promoting tumor cell invasion and migration [40].