Interleukin-6

Interleukin-6 from serum can only be taken at the lab in monchengladbach.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a major pleiotropic, inflammatory cytokine, which can affect different cell types by binding to membrane-bound or soluble IL-6 receptors. IL-6 plasma levels have been shown to predict future cardiovascular (CV) events independent of traditional risk factors. To date, no clinical outcome study has demonstrated a relationship between IL-6 reduction and reduction in CV events . Canakinumab is a human therapeutic monoclonal antibody that targets IL-1β. IL-1 strongly induces IL-6. In the Canakinumab Anti-Inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS), canakinumab significantly reduced major adverse CV events (MACE) numbers compared to placebo, without substantially affecting lipid values. The CV benefits of canakinumab were greatest in patients with the greatest decrease in C-reactive protein (hsCRP). It has been suggested that IL-6 inhibition is involved in the reduction in atherothrombotic events with canakinumab.