High serum interleukin-6 level predicts future hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production is implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in animal models. Although previous studies showed that HCC patients had higher serum IL-6 level at the time of diagnosis, it is unclear if the cytokine contributes to the development of HCC or is just a reaction to cancer. To address this question, we performed a nested case-control study. Consecutive chronic hepatitis B patients were recruited from 1997 to 2000 and followed till 2008. Profiling of 27 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors was performed at baseline, date of peak alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and the last visit. Thirty-seven patients developed HCC at a median follow-up of 62 months (interquartile range: 41-110). Serum IL-6 was higher in patients with HCC than controls both during peak ALT and at the last visit (both p = 0.02). Patients with IL-6 above 7 pg/ml during peak ALT had increased risk of HCC or death (adjusted hazard ratio 3.0; 95% confidence interval 1.2, 7.8; p = 0.02). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of this cutoff to predict future HCC development were 70%, 73%, 72% and 71%, respectively. Combination of IL-6 and AFP improved the sensitivity in diagnosing HCC or predicting future HCC development. In conclusion, high serum IL-6 level predates the development of HCC in chronic hepatitis B patients, and has moderate accuracy in predicting future cancer. This may assist clinicians in selecting high-risk patients for HCC surveillance program.
Wong
Vincent Wai-Sun
VW
Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Yu
Jun
J
Cheng
Alfred Sze-Lok
AS
Wong
Grace Lai-Hung
GL
Chan
Hoi-Yun
HY
Chu
Eagle Siu-Hong
ES
Ng
Enders Kai-On
EK
Chan
Francis Ka-Leung
FK
Sung
Joseph Jao-Yao
JJ
Chan
Henry Lik-Yuen
HL
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015850:Interleukin-6