TY - JOUR T1 - Interleukin 6: The biology behind the therapy JF - Considerations in Medicine JO - Considerations Med SP - 2 LP - 6 DO - 10.1136/conmed-2018-000005 VL - 2 IS - 1 AU - Simon A Jones AU - Tsutomu Takeuchi AU - Daniel Aletaha AU - Josef Smolen AU - Ernest H Choy AU - Iain McInnes Y1 - 2018/11/01 UR - http://considerations.bmj.com/content/2/1/2.abstract N2 - The cytokine interleukin (IL)−6 performs a diverse portfolio of functions in normal physiology and disease. These functions extend beyond the typical role for an inflammatory cytokine, and IL-6 often displays hormone-like properties that affect metabolic processes associated with lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and the neuroendocrine system. Consequently, the biology of IL-6 is complex. Recent advances in the field have led to novel interpretations of how IL-6 delivers immune homeostasis in health and yet drives disease pathology during infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Various biological drugs that target IL-6 are in clinical practice or emerging in clinical trials and pre-clinical development programmes. The challenge is knowing how and when to apply these therapies. In this review, we will explore the biology behind IL-6 directed therapies and identify some key hurdles for future investigation. ER -