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SUMMARYSeveral studies have shown that the eytokine interlcukin-6 (IL-6) is produced in response to lumour necrosis faclor (TNF) in vitro. This study examines the in vivo relation between these two cytokines with assays of plasma IL-6 and TNF levels in subjects with chronie hepatitis B undergoing immunomoduiatory therapy wilh recombinanl TNF (rTNF). Plasma IL-6 was detected from 20 min afler rTNF infusion wilh levels peaking afler 2-3 h and levels correlated with Ihe dose of rTNF administered (r = 067, /'=0 004). Peak levels of IL-6 (mean 295, range 266-297 ng//) were lower than those seen in certain disease states despite the very high peak levels of rTNF (mean 11 750, range 5623-1S 620 ng//). These findings suggest that the very high levels of IL-6 found in eerlain disease states are not purely the result of circulating TNF. Other faclors such as cndoloxin or other cytokines may also play a role in determining levels of plasma IL-6.

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