IL6 and infectious otitis media: Moreover, the expression of the EGFR ligand EREG as well as proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-11, which can all induce phosphorylation of STAT3 and ERK1/2 and create a protumorigenic environment in the AOM/DSS model (28, 31–33, 47), are augmented in Phd2+/– tumors.