Overview

• The peer-reviewed study in Nature Cardiovascular Research analyzed genetic data from more than 500,000 people of European and East Asian ancestry.
• Variants in the IL6 gene that reduce IL-6 signaling were associated with lower lifetime risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
• The same variants correlated with reduced risks of pneumonia and sepsis, addressing prior concerns raised by IL6R-focused research about infection vulnerability.
• Genetic signals also suggested favorable effects on type 2 diabetes risk and lipid profiles, pointing to broader metabolic benefits.
• Researchers describe the findings as human-genetic support for IL-6–targeting therapies under clinical evaluation, while emphasizing that randomized trials are still needed to confirm efficacy and safety.