In fact, exposure of LCSs from BEAS-Akt1-E17K or from NSCLC cells to blocking anti-IL-6 mAbs markedly reduced the capability of these cells to generate LCSs; conversely, administration of IL-6 to BEAS-2B cells or to NSCLC cells interfered for Akt1, restored the capability to generate LCSs. Here, AKT1 is linked to non-small cell lung carcinoma.