title: A humanized anti-IL-6 antibody (ALD518) in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory pathways may be an important contributor to morbidity and mortality associated with lung cancer. The oncogene-associated inflammatory microenvironment leads to production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. IL-6 is associated with poor prognosis and correlates with debilitating lung-cancer-related symptoms such as fatigue, thromboembolism, cachexia and anemia. IL-6 has been implicated in resistance of lung cancer to EGF inhibitors. A mAb therapy targeting IL-6 may be an effective treatment for the inflammatory microenvironment in lung cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  An understanding of the inflammatory pathways involved in lung cancer, including the central role of IL-6, and how inflammation affects the course and treatment of lung cancer. The mAb ALD518, which targets IL-6, and its investigational development and use in advanced NSCLC. Preclinical and Phase I and II studies of ALD518 with a focus on NSCLC. How ALD518 could be used in NSCLC in the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-6-mediated inflammation may contribute to NSCLC-related morbidity and mortality. In preclinical and Phase I and II trials ALD518 targeting IL-6 appears well tolerated and ameliorates NSCLC-related anemia and cachexia. Other clinical outcomes need further study, and may include effects on overall survival, hypercoagulability associated with lung cancer and decreased resistance to EGF-pathway inhibitors.
authors: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Comprehensive Thoracic Oncology Program, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, USA.
authors: Trevor J
authors: TJ
authors: Bayliss
authors: Jeff T
authors: JT
authors: Smith
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Schuster
authors: Konstantin H
authors: KH
authors: Dragnev
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Rigas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C546400:ALD518 monoclonal antibody; C508600:IL6 protein, human