The Biomarker HE4 (WFDC2) Promotes a Pro-Angiogenic and Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment via Regulation of STAT3 Target Genes

HE4 was found to activate STAT3 signaling and promote upregulation of the pro-angiogenic STAT3 target genes IL8 and HIF1A in immune cells, ovarian cancer cells, and endothelial cells. Moreover, HE4 promoted increased in tube formation in an in vitro model of angiogenesis, which was also dependent upon STAT3 signaling.