Targeting STAT3 in cancer and autoimmune diseases

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that is activated downstream of a broad range of receptors particularly interleukin-6 (IL-6) family. STAT3 is the key regulator of cell proliferation, survival and apoptosis and is constitutively activated in most human cancers, indicating that it can be an important potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. STAT3 also has important roles in lymphocyte biology, regulation of immune responses and autoimmunity. Considering the vital role of STAT3 in tumor progression and autoimmunity, scientists have focused to develop small molecules that suppress STAT3 function. In this review, we firstly discussed the predominant role of STAT3 in cancer and autoimmune diseases. Subsequently, we discussed the efficacy and therapeutic potential of different STAT3 inhibitors in cancer and autoimmune diseases in preclinical studies and clinical trials offering an insight into novel approaches for development of new STAT3 inhibitors.