The findings of our study are as follows: (a) early IL-6 reduction was associated with ICU survival in patients with sepsis; (b) NGAL levels increased in non-survivors; (c) HMGB1 levels were unchanged in survivors and non-survivors at least within 6 h post ICU admission, but the combination of HMGB1 with lactate may stratify the risk of mortality. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is Sepsis.