IL6

Chr 7MultiSomaticADAR

interleukin 6

Also known as: BSF-2, BSF2, CDF, HGF, HSF, IFN-beta-2, IFNB2, IL-6

This cytokine functions in inflammation, B cell maturation, and serves as an endogenous pyrogen that induces fever, binding to IL6R and then associating with IL6ST/gp130 to trigger intracellular signaling pathways. Mutations are associated with susceptibility to systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn disease-associated growth failure, and various other inflammatory conditions including diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2. The gene shows multiple inheritance patterns including autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and multifactorial inheritance depending on the associated condition.

OMIMResearchSummary from RefSeq, OMIM, UniProt
MultiplemechanismMulti/Somatic/AD/ARLOEUF 0.756 OMIM phenotypes
Clinical SummaryIL6
Population Constraint (gnomAD)
Constrained for loss-of-function variants (OE-LoF 0.24) despite low pLI — interpret in context.
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Clinical Trials
12 active or recruiting trials — potential therapeutic options may be available

Population Genetics & Constraint

gnomAD v4 — loss-of-function & missense intolerance

Tolerant — LoF & missense variants common in population
LoF Constraint
0.75LOEUF
pLI 0.315
Z-score 2.04
OE 0.24 (0.100.75)
Tolerant

Typical tolerance to LoF variation

Missense Constraint
0.00Z-score
OE missense 1.00 (0.861.17)
112 obs / 112.1 exp
Tolerant

Mild missense constraint

Observed / Expected Ratios
LoF OE0.24 (0.100.75)
00.351.4
Missense OE1.00 (0.861.17)
00.61.4
Synonymous OE0.99
01.21.6
LoF obs/exp: 2 / 8.4Missense obs/exp: 112 / 112.1Syn Z: 0.03
Curated Mechanism (G2P)Gene2Phenotype (DDG2P) ↗
definitiveIL6-related Kaposi sarcomaOTHERAD
DN
0.6938th %ile
GOF
0.72top 25%
LOF
0.3065th %ile

This gene has evidence for multiple mechanisms of pathogenicity (gain-of-function and dominant-negative). Both the Badonyi & Marsh prediction and the broader genomic evidence point to gain-of-function as the predominant mechanism. Different variants in this gene may act through different mechanisms — interpret in context of the specific variant.

GOFprediction above median
DNprediction above median

Note: In-silico variant effect predictors (SIFT, PolyPhen, REVEL, CADD) may underestimate pathogenicity of missense variants in genes with GOF or DN mechanisms. Consider functional evidence and clinical context.

Predictions from Badonyi M, Marsh JA. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(8):e0307312.

ClinVar Variant Classifications

0 submitted variants in ClinVar

Protein Context — Lollipop Plot

IL6 · protein map & ClinVar variants

Showing all ClinVar variants across the protein. Search a specific variant to highlight its position.

3D Protein StructureAlphaFold

Clinical Trials

Active and recruiting trials from ClinicalTrials.gov

Cystic Fibrosis-related DiabetesCystic Fibrosis

Metformin for People With CFRD on CFTR Modulator Therapy to Improve Ion Channel Function

RECRUITING
NCT04530383Phase PHASE2University of Kansas Medical CenterStarted 2022-02-14
Metformin Hydrochloride
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Clinical Study of A-319 in the Treatment of Active/Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

RECRUITING
NCT06400537Phase PHASE1Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyStarted 2024-07-20
A-319
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)Claudication, IntermittentChronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Expression of GLP1 Receptor on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Advanced Peripheral Artery Disease: Paving the Way for GLP1R Agonists Treatment in Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT07340112University Hospital, Strasbourg, FranceStarted 2026-06
Analysis of GLP-1 receptor expression
Blau Syndrome

Efficacy and Safety of Tofacitinib in Refractory Blau Syndrome

ENROLLING BY INVITATION
NCT06660329Phase PHASE4Peking Union Medical College HospitalStarted 2024-10-01
Janus Kinase Inhibitor
Biliary Tract CancerColorectal CarcinomaGastric Cancer, Metastatic

CDH17 CAR-T Therapy in Advanced Malignant Solid Tumors

RECRUITING
NCT06937567Phase EARLY_PHASE1Zhejiang UniversityStarted 2024-12-26
CDH17 CAR-T
Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8Anatomic Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8Anatomic Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8

Ribociclib, Tucatinib, and Trastuzumab for the Treatment of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

RECRUITING
NCT05319873Phase PHASE1, PHASE2Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterStarted 2022-04-07
CarboplatinDocetaxelFulvestrant
Duchenne Muscular DystrophyBecker Muscular Dystrophy

Characterization of Clinical Skeletal and Cardiac Impairment in Carriers of DMD and BMD

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT02972580Nationwide Children's HospitalStarted 2016-06
Genetic characterization
Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Open-Label, Randomised, Multi-Drug, Biomarker-Directed, Phase 1b Study in Pts w/ Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT02546661Phase PHASE1AstraZenecaStarted 2016-12-28
AZD4547MEDI4736Olaparib
Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis

EFICAC-TTR Trial: Exercise and Nutritional Supplementation in Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT07343999Phase NAUniversidad de BurgosStarted 2026-06
Usual CareHome-Based Multicomponent Exercise ProgramFiber Supplementation (Microcrystalline Cellulose)
Behcet Disease and Vascular Involvement

Clinical, Biochemical and Epigenetic Profile of Pediatric Behçet Disease

RECRUITING
NCT07375940Phase NAMeyer Children's Hospital IRCCSStarted 2026-01-12
Biomarker analysis of blood samplesBiomarker analysis of blood samplesBiomarker analysis of blood samples
ObesityType2diabetesLipodystrophy

Susceptibility to Infectious Diseases in obEsity: an endocRine trAnslational socioLogic Evaluation, "SIDERALE"

RECRUITING
NCT06236932Phase NAFederico II UniversityStarted 2023-12-29
Mediterranean dietMelatonin supplementation
Relapsed or Refractory B Cell Leukemia and Lymphoma

U96-CAR-T-Cells For R/R B-ALL

RECRUITING
NCT07511426Phase PHASE1The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityStarted 2026-03-30
U96
Clinical Literature
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