Mechanistic interactions of certain cancer-linked streptococci reveal their role in initiating host inflammatory cascades (e.g., IL-6, CD40, and interferon signaling), biofilm resistance by adhesins (e.g., AgI/II, SpaP, CshA/B, and VisA), and carcinogenic metabolite production including acetaldehyde and kynurenic acid. Here, IL6 is linked to cancer.