title: Serum levels of interleukin 6 in patients with lung cancer.
abstract: Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured in 75 patients with lung cancer and in 20 patients with benign lung diseases. IL-6 was detectable in 29 patients with lung cancer (39%), but was not detectable in any of the patients with benign lung diseases. Serum C-reactive protein levels and plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly higher and serum albumin concentration was significantly lower in lung cancer patients with detectable serum IL-6 levels than in those without detectable serum IL-6 levels and in patients with benign lung diseases. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in blood platelet counts in these three groups. Moreover, serum IL-6 levels were not significantly different in lung cancer patients with or without clinically demonstrated distant metastasis. These results suggest that IL-6 may be a mediator of various reactions including an inflammatory response in lung cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tokushima, School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yanagawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sone
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haku
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yano
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000097:blood; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D012709:Serum Albumin; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein