Intratumoral interleukin-6 predicts ascites formation in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: A potential tool for close monitoring

Full text 

 Background

The implication of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is well documented. Accordingly, the clinicopathological significance of this cytokine in patients’ ascites fluid or serum has largely been investigated. Since the main source of IL-6 secreted into the biological fluids is the tumor tissue, this study was designed to investigate the status and possible clinical relevance of the IL-6 expression in an array of EOC tissue specimens. 

  

Table 1

Clinicopathological characteristics of the participants
 
Results

An upregulation of IL-6 expression was observed in EOC tissues as compared with the normal samples (p < 0.0001). As regards the clinical relevance, IL-6 failed to predict OS, DFS and response to the platinum-based chemotherapy in EOC patients. In multivariate analysis, however, IL-6 was identified as an independent predictive factor for the development of post-treatment ascites (p:0.033).

Conclusions

Having the capability to predict the ascites formation, IL-6 might serve as a biomarker and a useful tool in EOC for monitoring purposes. IL-6 targeting for the prevention of the ascites development is a potential avenue for further investigation. 

 

Graph (G) depicts maximum and minimum expression scores of IL-6 in different subgroups of EOC. HGS: high grade serous; LGS: low grade serous; M: mucinous; HGE: high grade endometrioid; LGE: low grade endometrioid; C: clear cell; O: others. Magnification = 40x

Conclusions

Here, we report the upregulation of IL-6 in EOC, with predictive value for development of ascites following the platinum-based treatment. In keeping with results from previous studies, our findings highlight the role of this cytokine in EOC patients which needs to be further explored in future research.