Elucidating the role of Stat3 in Myc-driven tumourigenesis

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a protein that controls many biological processes essential to life. Hyper-activated STAT3 is observed in at least 50% of human cancers, and has been linked to tumour progression and drug resistance. STAT3 controls the expression of the tumour-promoting MYC protein, and is therefore presumed to be no longer required in tumours with inherent MYC overexpression. This thesis explores the complex roles of STAT3 in cancers driven by overexpression of MYC. In particular, we utilized a mouse model of an aggressive metastatic disease, small cell lung cancer, to further elucidate the biological consequences of Stat3 activity in the context of Myc-driven tumour process.