While targeting the IL-6 pathway with monoclonal antibodies such as tocilizumab has provided treatment benefit in a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, its use is associated with an increased risk of non-infectious pulmonary complications, especially interstitial lung disease consistent with an important role for IL-6 in maintaining pulmonary homeostasis (Hadjinicolaou et al., 2011). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and rheumatoid arthritis.