Thus, decreased flavonoids are incapable of alleviating tumor-induced intestinal inflammation, which might in turn upregulate the expression of hepcidin (one of the “valves” regulating iron metabolism) via the IL6/STAT3 pathway, resulting in a limitation of bioavailable iron and ultimately a functional shortage of hematopoietic raw materials [43]. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is neoplasm.