STAT3 and inflammatory bowel disease: This is consistent with a recent meta-analysis, supporting a bidirectional phenotypic association and suggesting several pleiotropic genes as possible candidates contributing to both diseases (eg, STAT3, IL1RL1, IL18R1).44 Furthermore, immunotherapy trials that use the same therapies targeting cytokine levels in inflammatory immune-mediated diseases including IBD and eczema provide further evidence for a common genetic pathway.