The levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), lnterleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-32 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) generally increase in MDS patients, and their expression levels may be related to disease outcome (15, 16). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is myelodysplastic syndrome.