Interleukin 6/interleukin 6 receptor interaction and its role as a therapeutic target for treatment of cachexia and cancer.

Interleukin 6 (IL6) mediates pleiotropic physiological functions through its interaction with the IL6 receptor (IL6R). Signal transduction can occur via cis- and trans-signaling. The role of IL6/IL6R interaction via autocrine and paracrine loops in tumor proliferation and progression is discussed. The potential role of IL6/IL6R interaction in different experimental systems and tumor entities is summarized while the focus is on inhibition of IL6 signaling with monoclonal antibodies directed against IL6 or IL6R and their potential impact for treatment of tumor-associated cachexia and as antitumoral agents as monotherapy and in combination with small molecule compounds.