A previous study indicated that IL-6, could upregulate Mcl-1 expression, while the corresponding Mcl-1 gene was downregulated solely following IL-6 starvation.28 Thus, the combination effects of the two treatments in myeloma cells following IL-6 stimulation were examined, and it was demonstrated that concomitant treatment of bufalin with MK2206 could successfully abrogate IL-6-mediated cell growth and reduce IL-6 secretion in U266 cells. The gene discussed is MCL1; the disease is plasma cell myeloma.