Background:Chronic inflammation predisposes to cancer development. Cytokines play an essential role in cancer pathogenesis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that enables growth and differentiation of tumour cells. The effects of IL-6 are mediated by Signal Transducers & Activators of Transcription (STAT3). STAT3 deficiency reduced tumor incidence and growth, while STAT3 hyperactivation has an opposite effect, also it negatively regulates p53 gene. Studies clearly indicate that IL-6/STAT3 signalling is crucial in the carcinogenesis that is linked to inflammation Increased IL-6 levels are observed in malignant cases. Only a few studies investigating role of IL-6 have been reported.
Aim:This study aims at determining IL-6 levels in lung, oral, esophageal and gall bladder cancer patients and their comparison with controls.
Methods:Subjects so far consisted of 50 patients diagnosed with lung, oral and Esophageal cancer at the Delhi State Cancer Institute. The institute caters to a huge workload of approximately 450 lung, 1550 oral, 275 esophageal and 550 gall bladder cancer patients per year. Fiftyhealthy individuals served as controls. Blood samples were collected. IL-6 was detected by ECLIA principle.
Results:IL-6 values were determined in 50 (26 oral, 9 esophageal, 8 lung cancer and 7 gall bladder) patients. Of these, 39/50 (21 oral, 7 esophageal, 7 lung cancer and 4 gall bladder) patients (78%) showed higher IL-6 levels (range: 7.1 till >5000pg/ml), as compared to control group (Range: <1.5pg/ml). This study indicates a significant correlation between IL-6 overexpression, inflammation and cancer development.
Conclusions:This study highlights the significance of IL-6 in lung, oral, esophageal and gall bladder carcinomas. Thus, IL-6 may be used as a tumour marker for cancer diagnosis. To definitely conclude this, further extensive studies would be required. Our data supports the emerging notion that IL-6 may be a clinically significant predictor and may represent a target for cancer treatment.