Dysregulation of this pathway is significantly associated with various cancers and autoimmune diseases.[101] Type I interferon (IFN-α/β) is a multifunctional cytokine with immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative activity that acts by binding to cell surface IFN receptors (IFNAR1/2), activating JAK and subsequently phosphorylating STAT1 and STAT2 proteins, thereby activating the JAK/STAT pathway. The gene discussed is SOAT1; the disease is cancer.