STAT3 and neoplasm: High ECM stiffness in pancreatic ductal cancer cells triggers the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway, which enhances matricellular fibrosis and ductal epithelial tension and drives progression of the tumor via decreased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and elevated activation of β1-integrins [208].