Examples of such defects include failure to harbor, express, or present immunogenic peptides, the increased secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines (e.g. TGF-β, interleukin [IL]-8, IL-6, IL-10), the activation of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) or the upregulation of immune checkpoints or their ligands on T-cells and stromal/tumor cells, respectively. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is neoplasm.