IL11 and cancer: Considering the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway plays a central role in tumor progression by transmitting signal transduction events in response to extracellular stimuli, for example, PI3K can receive signals from growth factor receptors, integrins, and cytokine receptors22, and there are evidences suggesting that the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway associated with CXCL8 and IL11 signaling may contribute to cancer cell progression and metastasis, and using the PI3K inhibitor can directly suppresses the invasion activity induced by CXCL8 and IL11 (refs. 20,23).