Abstract: Abstract: Signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an oncogene with transcription activity. STAT3 is widely involved in multiple cellular physiological or pathological processes including cancer oncogenesis, metastasis and immunology modulation. The abnormal activation of STAT3 is associated with the oncogenesis or poor prognosis of multiple epithelium original malignant tumors (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancers, glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer). Additionally, RNA interference or small molecular inhibitor treatment can inhibit the expression or activation of STAT3 in tumor cells and immune escape. Based on the domestic and foreign literature reports and the progress of our own research, this review article provides a brief summary of the latest progress on STAT3 signaling pathway in head and neck cancer research.

Key words: STAT3 transcription factor, head and neck neoplasms, carcinoma, squamous cell, oncogenes