• miR-217 expression is downregulated in CM tissues and is inversely correlated with IL-6 mRNA expression.• Overexpression of miR-217 reduces primary CM cell growth and induces apoptosis.• miR-217 directly targets IL-6, as shown by dual luciferase experiments.• IL-6 downregulation by siRNA mimics miR-217’s tumor-suppressive effects in CM.• The anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic impact of miR-217 overexpression in CM cells is reversed by IL-6 restoration. Here, IL6 is linked to neoplasm.