Interleukin 6 enhances glycolysis through expression of the glycolytic enzymes hexokinase 2 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3.

Enhanced glycolysis is important for oncogenesis and for the survival and proliferation of cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have also shown that proinflammatory cytokine signaling, such as that mediated by nuclear factor kappaB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), is important for the generation of inflammation-associated tumors. However, the link between inflammation and enhanced glycolysis has not been identified.