The role of IL-11 in immunity and cancer

• IL-11 mainly acts as an anti-inflammatory cytokine though it can function as a pro-inflammatory cytokine.
• IL-11 promotes tumorigenesis by triggering the JAK-STAT3 pathway.
• IL-11 signaling could be a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment.
• IL-11 may play a role in cancer metastasis through PI3K-AKT-mTORC1 pathway.

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a member of the glycoprotein-130 (GP-130) cytokines that utilizes the GP-130 signaling pathway shared by other cytokines of the same family. Traditionally regarded as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-11 also demonstrates its role as a proinflammatory cytokine, suggesting its complex role in immune response. In recent years, IL-11 has an emerging role in various inflammation-associated cancers. In this review, we aim to discuss IL-11 signaling pathway, to explore the role of IL-11 in immunity and various cancers, and to provide a therapeutic perspective of strategies utilized to interfere IL-11 signaling in cancer cells.