Inhibition of IL-6 production in this cachexia model is established to prevent the development of cachexia as shown after treatment with a murine antibody to IL-6 (Strassmann et al, 1992a), whereas TNF-α is thought to play an important role in wasting of fat and to induce IL-6 secretion by many cell types (Strassmann et al, 1992b). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is Cachexia.