Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and its receptor: Their role in plasma cell neoplasias

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Abstract
Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) is a multifunctional cytokine regulating immune response, acute phase reaction and hematopoiesis. IL‐6 plays a critical role in B cell differentiation to plasma cells and is a potent growth factor for plasmacytoma and myeloma. Abnormal production of IL‐6 has been suggested to be involved in polyclonal plasma cell abnormalities and plasma cell neoplasias. The deregulated expression of the IL‐6 gene in transgenic mice resulted in the generation of malignant plasmacytoma. Based on these findings, it could be considered that continuous IL‐6 gene expression plays an essential role in a mul‐tistep oncogenesis of plasma cell neoplasias. The role of IL‐6 and its receptor in the generation of plasma cell neoplasias and the mechanisms of the IL‐6 gene expression and IL‐6 receptor‐mediated signal transduction are described.