STAT1 is a key mediator of interferon signaling and plays dual roles in cancer, functioning as a tumor suppressor through p53 activation and cell cycle arrest, but also promoting inflammation and tumor progression in certain contexts (Li X. et al., 2021; Gao et al., 2018); its complete protective effect in this model highlights the critical role of IFN-γ/STAT1 signaling in driving gastric carcinogenesis. Here, STAT1 is linked to cancer.