Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide SSTP1 that modulates IL6 pathway to induce apoptosis in cells where there is overexpression of IL6R? (Interleukin 6 Receptor). This is achieved by inhibiting IL6/JAK/STAT pathway and/or by activating JNK/AP1 signal transduction pathway. The sensitivity of the cancer cells to SSTP1 was proportional to IL6R? levels. Further, SSTP1 kills triple negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, at a concentration that cause neither hemolysis nor cell death to blood cells. The peptide of the present invention utilizes the elements of IL6 pathway and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. SSTP1 functions by activation of JNK/AP1 pathway with concomitant inhibition of STATs, offering a new therapeutic strategy to treat cancer cells that overexpress IL6R?.