IL6 and systemic lupus erythematosus: In further support of this, it was found that baricitinib treatment was associated with statistically significant decreases of serum IL-12p40 and IL-6, supporting the concept that reducing the levels of these cytokines may be effective in treating SLE, as was suggested by previous clinical trials targeting these molecules.11 12 Various transcription factors have been implicated in the regulation of IL-6 and IL-12p40 expression, including AP-1, C/EBP and nuclear factor-κB but not the JAK/STAT axis.