Serum Interleukine-6 Concentration, But Not Interleukine-18, is Associated with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression

Abstract

Inflammation has been linked to various steps in tumorigenesis. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-18 are two inflammatory cytokines whose serum concentrations are elevated in several types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in some studies. This study was designed to analyze the serum concentrations of these cytokines in Iranian HNSCC patients. Serum IL-6 and IL-18 concentrations were assayed by ELISA commercial kits in 65 untreated patients and 20 healthy volunteers. Serum IL-6 concentration was significantly increased in patients compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.000). IL-6 concentration increased as the tumor stage progressed, and a significant difference appeared between stage IV vs. stage I/II/III (p = 0.03) disease. Although serum IL-18 concentration was higher in patients than in healthy individuals, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). Moreover, there was no association between serum IL-18 concentration and tumor stage (p = 0.47). A significant difference was observed in serum IL-18 concentration according to the gender with higher IL-18 concentration in male patients (p = 0.01). In conclusion, serum concentration of IL-6 might correlate with the stage of tumor progression in Iranian HNSCC patients. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required to exclude the possible minor correlation of serum IL-18 concentration with tumor stage.

Evaluation of pretreatment serum interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha as a potential biomarker for recurrence in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Those differences in methodologies could explain different results. The results of this and other studies ( 5 , 7 , 22 ) indicate that serum IL-6 is elevated in OSCC patients and may be potential marker for tumour recurrence. The patients with elevated serum IL-6 concentration may benefit from more frequent recall visits for the purpose of early diagnosis of tumour recurrence.…”

“…The increased levels of serum IL-6 in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) compared to the healthy controls have been found in previous reports ( 4 - 6 ). Serum IL-6 concentration might correlate with the stage of tumour proliferation in patients with HNSCC ( 7 ) and can be useful in the detection of metastases ( 8 ).…”

Immunotherapeutic Approach for Better Management of Cancer - Role of IL-18

“…The Th1 cytokines, particularly IL-12, were increased in adjacent mucosa of colorectal adenoma, but all Th1 cytokines significantly decreased in adjacent mucosa of colorectal carcinoma (Cui et al, 2007). IL-6 concentration increased as the tumor stage progressed, and a significant difference appeared between stage of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients (Mojtahedi et al, 2011).…”

Long-term effects of varying consumption of ω3 fatty acids in ear, nose and throat cancer patients: assessment 1 year after radiotherapy

“…Inflammation is a critical component of tumor progression and nutritional supplements seem to improve inflammatory parameters, with contradictory findings in the literature between specific and standard supplements (Machon et al, 2012). CRP Dhankhar et al, 2011;Peter et al, 2013;Zeng et al, 2012) and IL-6 (Brailo et al, 2012;Helzlsouer et al, 2006;Mojtahedi et al, 2011;Yadav et al, 2011) have a prognostic value in head and neck tumors, through direct association with tumor state, tumor progression, metastasis, and tumor response to treatment, and therefore, disease-free survival and overall survival. Thus, any intervention which decreases levels of IL-6 and/or CRP would have beneficial effects on tumor prognosis (Nibali et al, 2012).…”