Studies evaluating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and growth factor levels in serum revealed that GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-27, IL-35, osteopontin and stem cell factor (SCF) are upregulated in all or in distinct AML patient groups compared to age-matched controls (39–43). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.