While IL-10 and IL-6 were not changed by IFX treatment (data not shown) we found INFγ expression to be affected: INFγ was downregulated upon CML development and this was partially reverted upon nilotinib treatment while the combination of nilotinib and IFX again antagonized this effect and decreased IFNγ expression level (Additional file 3). This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and chronic myelogenous leukemia, BCR-ABL1 positive.