Correlation Between Interleukin 6 with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Minangkabau Ethnic Group

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumour of nasopharyngeal epithelium that has a unique distribution pattern. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is not only geographically specific but also ethnically. Some ethnic groups tend to suffer NPC. Multifactorial interactions are presumed to be the cause of NPC. One of them is interaction with interleukin 6 (IL-6). Interleukin 6 is a glycoprotein that not only links between chronic inflammation and progression of the tumour, but also a role as an important regulator to immune response and the growth factor of NPC. This study aimed to determine the correlation of IL-6 with NPC in the Minangkabau ethnic group. This study was an analytical study with a cross-sectional comparative study. A total of 21 plasma of NPC patients of the Minangkabau ethnic group and 21 plasma sex and aged-matched ±3 years controls participated in this study. Plasma IL-6 levels were measured with ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). All data were subjected to a normality test with Shapiro Wilk and a log 10 transformation test. Then performed an independent t-test in both groups. The plasma level of IL-6 in the NPC group was higher (46.16±73.10pg/ml) than the plasma control group (23.16±25.84pg/ml), but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05).