Regulation of Metastases by Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathway: Clinical Implications

Numerous cytokines, growth factors, and oncogenic proteins activate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), which has been recognized as one of the common pathways in cancer cells. Stat3 signaling affects the expression and function of a variety of genes that are critical to cell survival, cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Evidently, the Stat3 signaling pathway regulates cancer metastasis and constitutes a potential preventive and therapeutic target for cancer metastasis.