IL6 and heart failure: However, targeted anti-TNF approaches were negative with respect to primary trial end points or resulted in worsening heart failure or death.2 In addition to TNF-α, the proinflammatory cytokines that are elaborated in heart failure include other members of the TNF superfamily, members of the interleukin (IL)–1 family, and IL-6.1 The entire scenario of how inflammation occurs in stressed hearts must be elucidated to develop novel and effective treatments for heart failure.