When comparing CCM samples to healthy controls, interleukin 6 (IL6) levels were significantly higher in CCM patients (PI = 3.22, 95% CI 2.08 to 4.98, p < 0.001, q < 0.001, Fig. 1) and soluble transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 (sTGFβR3) levels were significantly lower (PI = 0.70, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.86, p = 0.001, q = 0.029). Here, IL6 is linked to cerebral cavernous malformation.