Localized tissue disruption quickly elicits systemic alterations in the biochemical, physiologic, and immunologic status of the host (1–3). The hypothesis that a circulating mediator(s) produced by injured tissues orchestrates the “acute phase” alterations in the “chemistry of the host” (1–4) has now been extensively validated (5, 6). It has become amply clear in the last 3 years that the cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a pivotal role in mediating the host response to tissue injury. Elevated levels of IL-6 are readily detected in body fluids during the course of microbial infections, autoimmune diseases, and neoplasia (6). It is the purpose of this review to highlight some recent advances in experimental IL-6 research and to discuss new clinical insights on the role of IL-6 in the pathophysiology of infection and cancer. The thesis that IL-6, in addition to mediating the systemic host response to neoplastic disease, may itself promote the proliferation of neoplastic cell elements adds a novel dimensio...
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