Clinical significance of tissue expression of interleukin-6 in colorectal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Although serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been associated with the development of colorectal cancer, IL-6 expression in cancer tissues has never been elucidated. The role of the tissue expression of IL-6 in colorectal cancer was investigated to identify any prognostic significance.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty consecutive patients, whose primary lesions had been resected, were studied. Immunoreactivity of IL-6 in cancerous tissue was measured by immunohistochemical staining; the relationships between the positive expression of IL-6 and both clinicopathological factors and survival were evaluated.


RESULTS
Seventy-four specimens expressed IL-6, and this expression correlated with an elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion and advanced stage (p < 0.05). IL-6 expression correlated with poor survival (p < 0.05) and was an independent predictor of prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Because tissue expression of IL-6 correlates with aggressive colorectal cancer behavior, it may be a useful predictor of prognosis.
Chung
Yuan-Chiang
YC
Department of Surgery, Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Department of Health, Taiwan, ROC. young@mail.tygh.gov.tw
Chaen
Yuan-Liang
YL
Hsu
Chi-Pin
CP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
D015850:Interleukin-6