Update of gp130 cytokines in multiple myeloma

Interleukin (IL)-6 plays a major role in the control of the survival and proliferation of myeloma cell lines and primary myeloma cells. The genes of the receptors of IL-6 have been cloned, and the major signaling pathways involved in gp130 IL-6 transducer activation have been identified. In addition, another five cytokines that activate the gp130 IL-6 transducer have been identified. We review the recent data on gp130 cytokines and gp130-mediated signal transduction, their involvement in myeloma cell biology, and we discuss the possible therapeutic applications of this knowledge.