IL6 and cancer: For instance, C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, is known to be involved in the pathophysiology of both CVD and cancer.13,14 Recently, the Canakinumab Antiinflammatory Thrombosis Outcome Study (CANTOS) trial provided evidence that anti-inflammatory therapy targeting interleukin (IL)-1b (of the CRP/IL-6/IL-1 axis) in individuals with pre-existing CVD not only lowered the risk of developing recurrent cardiovascular events15 but also reduced the risk of developing cancer events.16