A Circulating Inflammation Suppressor Decreases Mortality
Mendelian randomization analysis reports that higher circulating IL6 increases mortality while elevated soluble IL6R reduces all-cause mortality, particularly protecting against coronary artery disease, stroke, lung cancer and diabetes; C-reactive protein and GDF15 showed no effects. Researchers argue the mechanism involves IL6R binding IL6 in circulation to mitigate cardiovascular inflammation, and note that IL6R antagonism is already clinically accessible via FDA-approved tocilizumab. Authors recommend preclinical and clinical trials to evaluate whether increasing circulating IL6R or IL6R antagonism can lower cardiovascular and overall mortality.
Why it mattersEvidence linking higher circulating IL6R to lower mortality suggests prioritizing tocilizumab cardiovascular outcome trials.