Interleukin-6 Differential Expression in Cancer Patients of Different Clinical Stages; a Possible Biomarker of Cancer Progression

Abstract

PurposeThe study investigated interleukin-6 expression pattern across all stages of cancer. The research questions raised in the study were: Is there differential expression of Interleukin-6 across all cancer stages? and what relationship exists between serum interleukin-6 level and cancer stage?Methods The prospective case-control study comprised sixty two (62) purposively selected cancer participants across all stages and age range 18 years to 72years as well equal number of healthy volunteers from two medical centres in Nigeria. Three milliliters (3mls) of blood samples was collected intravenously from the participants and centrifuged after 30 minutes of collection at 3000rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum. The serum level of Interleukin-6 was determined spectrophotometrically by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data obtained were expressed as mean and standard error of the mean. One way Analysis of variance and t-test were employed to test for significance difference between the groups and the significant level was considered at P< 0.05. ResultsFindings from the study revealed significant (P< 0.05) higher mean serum interleukin-6 levels in stage IV cancer participants as compared to other disease stages. In the same way, significant higher mean Interleukin-6 level of stage III cancer participants as compared to that of stage I cancer participants was observed. Furthermore, the study revealed a significant correlation (P< 0.01) between serum Interleukin 6 concentration and cancer stage.Conclusion Serum interleukin-6 had differential expression in cancer patients at advanced clinical stage as compared to that of early disease stage.