IL6 and polymyositis: Inflammasome and cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and IL-6 play an important role in certain SAIDs.[25] Of these cytokines, IL-18 in particular are increased in DM/ADM patients with ILD.[26] For example, in a study of serum cytokine levels of 22 DM/PM patients and 24 controls, IL-1β and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in patients than controls.