IL6 and cancer: Conversely, exposure to excessive IL-6 levels, which can be caused by inflammatory disease and cancer, has been reported to promote skeletal muscle atrophy through reduced ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 phosphorylation, increased transcription of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and ubiquitin ligase E3 α-II, and/or Janus kinase/STAT pathway activation [51].