We have previously shown a similar pattern in NSTEMI, where strong positive correlations between neutrophil counts and acute phase proteins such as LPS binding protein, proteinase 3 and hepcidin were present in placebo-treated patients only.26 The attenuation of these associations in the tocilizumab group is consistent with an attenuating effect of IL-6 antagonism on the acute phase response and a plausible explanation for tocilizumab’s cardioprotective effect in acute coronary syndrome. Here, HAMP is linked to acute coronary syndrome.