Annexin A2 released by breast cancer cell-derived exosomes can induce macrophage-mediated activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and STAT3 pathways and increases the secretion of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, thereby contributing to the formation of a premetastatic inflammatory microenvironment in distant organs such as the lung and brain.32 This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and breast cancer.