An illustration depicting the role of miR-21 in the IL-6 induced survival of multiple myeloma cells. IL-6 leads to the activation of Stat3, which then dimerizes and binds to its cognate sites located in the regulatory regions of genes. The Stat3-mediated transcription of several antiapoptotic genes contributes to the survival of myeloma cells. In a separate mechanism, Stat3 directs the expression of miR-21, resulting in the suppression of apoptosis possibly through the inhibition of TPM1 and/or other proteins.