The role of IFNγ as a direct driver of epithelial proliferation and regulator of stem cell Myc expression illustrates the pleiotropic nature of this complex cytokine, countering its classical characterization as a cytostatic anti-tumor effector and providing a potential explanation for conflicting experimental and translational findings, including results in the setting of malignancy46. The gene discussed is MYC; the disease is neoplasm.