Pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 is essential for the growth of human B lymphocytes and myeloma cells, whilst TNFα plays a role in the pathogenesis of plasma cell dyscrasias.16 Serum IL-6 levels are significantly elevated in MGUS compared to controls.17 Similar observations have been made for TNFα and IL-8. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is plasma cell neoplasm.