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Omar MA, Omran MM, Farid K, Tabll AA, Shahein YE, Emran TM, Petrovic A, Lucic NR, Smolic R, Kovac T, Smolic M. Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Origin to Clinical Diagnosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1852. [PMID: 37509493 PMCID: PMC10377276 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HCC-related deaths has increased over the last few decades. There are several risk factors of HCC such as viral hepatitis (B, C), cirrhosis, tobacco and alcohol use, aflatoxin-contaminated food, pesticides, diabetes, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and metabolic and genetic diseases. Diagnosis of HCC is based on different methods such as imaging ultrasonography (US), multiphasic enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and several diagnostic biomarkers. In this review, we examine the epidemiology of HCC worldwide and in Egypt as well as risk factors associated with the development of HCC and, finally, provide the updated diagnostic biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC, particularly in the early stages of HCC. Several biomarkers are considered to diagnose HCC, including downregulated or upregulated protein markers secreted during HCC development, circulating nucleic acids or cells, metabolites, and the promising, recently identified biomarkers based on quantitative proteomics through the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). In addition, a diagnostic model used to improve the sensitivity of combined biomarkers for the diagnosis of early HCC is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona A. Omar
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, New Damietta 34517, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed M. Omran
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt;
| | - Khaled Farid
- Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35524, Egypt;
| | - Ashraf A. Tabll
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt
- Immunology Department, Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), Cairo 11517, Egypt
| | - Yasser E. Shahein
- Molecular Biology Department, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Tarek M. Emran
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, New Damietta 34517, Egypt;
| | - Ana Petrovic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (A.P.); (N.R.L.); (R.S.); (T.K.)
| | - Nikola R. Lucic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (A.P.); (N.R.L.); (R.S.); (T.K.)
| | - Robert Smolic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (A.P.); (N.R.L.); (R.S.); (T.K.)
| | - Tanja Kovac
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (A.P.); (N.R.L.); (R.S.); (T.K.)
| | - Martina Smolic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (A.P.); (N.R.L.); (R.S.); (T.K.)
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O'Neill RS, Stoita A. Biomarkers in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: Are we closer to finding the golden ticket? World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:4045-4087. [PMID: 34326612 PMCID: PMC8311531 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i26.4045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a leading cause of cancer related mortality on a global scale. The disease itself is associated with a dismal prognosis, partly due to its silent nature resulting in patients presenting with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. To combat this, there has been an explosion in the last decade of potential candidate biomarkers in the research setting in the hope that a diagnostic biomarker may provide a glimmer of hope in what is otherwise quite a substantial clinical dilemma. Currently, serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 is utilized in the diagnostic work-up of patients diagnosed with PC however this biomarker lacks the sensitivity and specificity associated with a gold-standard marker. In the search for a biomarker that is both sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of PC, there has been a paradigm shift towards a focus on liquid biopsy and the use of diagnostic panels which has subsequently proved to have efficacy in the diagnosis of PC. Currently, promising developments in the field of early detection on PC using diagnostic biomarkers include the detection of microRNA (miRNA) in serum and circulating tumour cells. Both these modalities, although in their infancy and yet to be widely accepted into routine clinical practice, possess merit in the early detection of PC. We reviewed over 300 biomarkers with the aim to provide an in-depth summary of the current state-of-play regarding diagnostic biomarkers in PC (serum, urinary, salivary, faecal, pancreatic juice and biliary fluid).
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S O'Neill
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney 2010, Australia
- St George and Sutherland Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2010, Australia
| | - Alina Stoita
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2010, Australia
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Said EA, Al-Reesi I, Al-Shizawi N, Jaju S, Al-Balushi MS, Koh CY, Al-Jabri AA, Jeyaseelan L. Defining IL-6 levels in healthy individuals: A meta-analysis. J Med Virol 2021; 93:3915-3924. [PMID: 33155686 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by and impacts different cell types in human. IL-6 is associated with different diseases and viral infections, including COVID-19. To our knowledge, no normal values were reported for IL-6 in the blood of healthy individuals. We have reviewed and performed a meta-analysis on a total of 140 studies, including 12,421 values for IL-6 in the blood of healthy adult donors. Among these studies, 83 did not report a mean value and the standard deviation. Therefore, for the statistical analysis, we used the values reported in 57 studies, which included 3166 values for IL-6. RESULTS The reported values for IL-6 in the blood of healthy donors varied between 0 and 43.5 pg/ml. The pooled estimate of IL-6 was 5.186 pg/ml (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.631, 5.740). As the age increased by 1 year, IL-6 values increased by 0.05 pg/ml (95% CI: 0.02, 0.09; p < .01). Though the heterogenicity, as determined by I2 statistics, was high in our study, the differences in IL-6 values are still at the level of a few pg/ml, which might be related to the differences in the conditions that influence IL-6 production in the healthy population. CONCLUSIONS This is the first meta-analysis reporting the levels of IL-6 in the blood of healthy donors based on a large number of studies and donors. Therefore the 95% CI values determined in our study could well serve as a reference range for quick decision-making in clinical interventions, particularly those aiming to inhibit IL-6, especially urgent interventions, for example, COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias A Said
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoudh, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Iman Al-Reesi
- Department of Microbiology, Suhar Hospital, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Nawal Al-Shizawi
- Department of Microbiology, Suhar Hospital, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Sanjay Jaju
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Sultanate of Oman, Alkoudh, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Mohammed S Al-Balushi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoudh, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Crystal Y Koh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoudh, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Ali A Al-Jabri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoudh, Sultanate of Oman
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Pan X, Kaminga AC, Wen SW, Liu A. Chemokines in hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Carcinogenesis 2021; 41:1682-1694. [PMID: 33300549 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that chemokines may play an important role in the formation and mediating of the immune microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the differences in blood or tissues chemokines concentrations between HCC patients and controls. Online databases, namely PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library, were systematically searched for relevant articles published on or before 15 January 2020. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals of the chemokines concentrations were calculated as group differences between the HCC patients and the controls. Sixty-five studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Altogether they consisted of 26 different chemokines compared between 5828 HCC patients and 4909 controls; and 12 different chemokines receptors compared between 2053 patients and 2285 controls. The results of meta-analysis indicated that concentrations of CCL20, CXCL8 and CXCR4 in the HCC patients were significantly higher than those in the controls (SMD of 6.18, 1.81 and 1.04, respectively). Therefore, higher concentration levels of CCL20, CXCL8 and CXCR4 may indicate the occurrence of HCC Future research should explore the putative mechanisms underlying this linkage. Meanwhile, attempts can be made to replicate the existing findings in prospective cohort populations and explore the cause-and-effect relationships pertaining to this linkage in order to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongfeng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Atipatsa C Kaminga
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi
| | - Shi Wu Wen
- OMNI Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aizhong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Kulma I, Panrit L, Plengsuriyakarn T, Chaijaroenkul W, Warathumpitak S, Na-Bangchang K. A randomized placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial to evaluate the immunomodulatory activities of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb) DC. in healthy Thai subjects. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:61. [PMID: 33579265 PMCID: PMC7879636 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03199-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Atractylodes lancea (Thunb) DC. (AL) and bioactive compounds β-eudesmol and atractylodin have been demonstrated in the in vitro and in vivo studies for their potential clinical use in cholangiocarcinoma. The study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of AL in human subjects. Methods The modulatory effects of AL and β-eudesmol and atractylodin on TNFα and IL6 expression in PBMCs were measured using real-time PCR. Blood samples were collected from forty-eight healthy subjects following oral administration of a single or multiple dosing of capsule formulation of the standardized AL extract or placebo. Serum cytokine profiles, lymphocyte subpopulations (B lymphocytes, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CD4+ T-helper lymphocytes, and NK cells), and cytotoxic activity of PBMCs against the cholangiocarcinoma cell line CL-6 were evaluated using cytometric bead array (CBA) with flow cytometry analysis. Results AL extract at almost all concentrations significantly inhibited both TNFα and IL6 expression in Con A-mediated inflammation in PBMCs. β-Eudesmol at all concentrations significantly inhibited only IL6 expression. Atractylodin at the lowest concentration significantly inhibited the expression of both cytokines, while the highest concentration significantly inhibited only IL6 expression. The administration of AL at a single oral dose of 1000 mg appeared to decrease IFNγ and IL10 and increase B cell, while significantly increase NK and CD4+ and CD8+ cells. A trend of increasing (compared with placebo) in the cytotoxic activity of PBMCs at 24 h of dosing was observed. AL at multiple dosing of 1000 mg for 21 days tended to decrease the production of all cytokines, while significantly inhibited IL17A production at 24 h of dosing. In addition, a significant increase in CD4+ and CD8+ cells was observed. A trend of increase in the cytotoxic activity of PBMCs was observed at 24 h but terminated at 48 h of dosing. Conclusions The results confirm the immunomodulatory activity of AL in humans. This activity, in complementary with the direct action of AL on inducing cholangiocarcinoma cell apoptosis, suggests its potential role for CCA control. Trial registration Retrospectively registered on 17 October 2020 [Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR: www.clinicaltrials.in.th) Number TCTR20201020001#]. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-020-03199-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inthuon Kulma
- Graduate Program in Bioclinical Sciences, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Luxsana Panrit
- Drug Discovery and Development Center, Office of Advanced Science and Technology, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Tullayakorn Plengsuriyakarn
- Graduate Program in Bioclinical Sciences, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Wanna Chaijaroenkul
- Graduate Program in Bioclinical Sciences, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Siriprapa Warathumpitak
- Graduate Program in Bioclinical Sciences, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Kesara Na-Bangchang
- Graduate Program in Bioclinical Sciences, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand. .,Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand. .,Drug Discovery and Development Center, Office of Advanced Science and Technology, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand.
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Anti-proliferative activities of Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum. and Thonn. (Connaraceae) using ovarian cancer cell lines. J Ovarian Res 2020; 13:83. [PMID: 32693841 PMCID: PMC7374866 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-020-00679-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the most lethal tumors of gynecologic malignancies, due to lack of early detection, and a high rate of metastasis. The standard treatment for OvCa is surgery and cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, to overcome the high cost and side effects of these treatments, medicinal plants are widely used in developing countries to treat OvCa. Byrsocarpus coccineus plant preparation has been administered to patients traditionally in the management of tumors in Nigeria. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative effects of B. coccineus ethanol leaf extract against OVCAR-3 and SW 626 OvCa cell lines. After the treatment of the two cell lines with the extracts, analyses were carried out to determine inhibition of proliferation and expression of cell cycle markers, pro-apoptotic, and anti-apoptotic markers. Results Results showed that B. coccineus ethanol leaf extract, significantly inhibited cell migration and colony formation in OVCAR-3 and SW 626 treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. Results also show that B. coccineus ethanol leaf extract modulated the expression of tumor suppressor gene (p53), cell cycle progression, pro- and anti-apoptotic gene, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions These results suggest that B. coccineus have anti-proliferative properties and could induce apoptosis. Further investigation will be carried out to isolate bioactive compounds for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Chen Y, Huang Z, Chen X, Ye H. Activation of the Toll‑like receptor 2 signaling pathway inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:2267-2278. [PMID: 31578587 PMCID: PMC6826303 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll‑like receptor 2 (TLR2), is an important pattern recognition receptor which serves a role in chronic inflammation of the liver. However, the role of TLR2 in the progression of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the activation of the TLR2 signaling pathway on biological functions, such as proliferation and apoptosis. TLR2 expression in HCC tissues was assayed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry and western blotting. B76/Huh7 cells were transfected with overexpression plasmids, and cell proliferation was detected using a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay and the secreted cytokines in the supernatant of transfected cells were measured by ELISA. The findings revealed that TLR2 expression was increased in the peritumoral groups compared with inner‑tumoral groups. Activation of the TLR2 signaling pathway through overexpression of pathway molecules inhibited the growth of B76/Huh7 cells and the secretion of interleukin‑6 and tumor necrosis factor‑α were reduced. Inhibition of the TLR2 signaling pathway resulted in a significant increase in the downstream signaling cascade, thus potentially increasing hepatocarcinogenesis and tumor progression. Activation of the TLR2 signaling pathway may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in patients with HCC and downstream secreted cytokines are required for the functional biological effect. Therefore, modulation of the TLR2 signaling pathway may provide important insight into designing effective therapeutic regimens for treating patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Zuxiong Huang
- The Liver Center of Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Xuzheng Chen
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
| | - Hanhui Ye
- The Liver Center of Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
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Cytokine Modulation in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: A Revision of the Most Recent Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20020382. [PMID: 30658426 PMCID: PMC6359111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor and the second cause for cancer-related death in women worldwide, although combined treatments are well-established interventions. Several effects seem to be responsible for poor outcomes in advanced or triple-negative BC patients. Focusing on the interaction of ionizing radiation with tumor and normal tissues, the role of cytokine modulation as a surrogate of immunomodulation must still be explored. In this work, we carried out an overview of studies published in the last five years involving the cytokine profile in BC patients undergoing radiotherapy. The goal of this review was to evaluate the profile and modulation of major cytokines and interleukins as potential biomarkers of survival, treatment response, and toxicity in BC patient undergoing radiotherapy. Out of 47 retrieved papers selected using PubMed search, 15 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Different studies reported that the modulation of specific cytokines was time- and treatment-dependent. Radiotherapy (RT) induces the modulation of inflammatory cytokines up to 6 months for most of the analyzed cytokines, which in some cases can persist up to several years post-treatment. The role of specific cytokines as prognostic and predictive of radiotherapy outcome is critically discussed.
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Vainer N, Dehlendorff C, Johansen JS. Systematic literature review of IL-6 as a biomarker or treatment target in patients with gastric, bile duct, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 9:29820-29841. [PMID: 30038723 PMCID: PMC6049875 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancer (GI) is a major health problem. Patients with gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, bile duct and gall bladder cancer often have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis and are generally difficult to cure, resulting in a dismal prognosis for most patients. Inflammation plays an important role in the development and growth of cancer, which has led to a growing interest in the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6). The aim of the present review was to evaluate the clinical use of IL-6 as a biomarker or therapeutic target in patients with GI cancer. We did a systematic review of studies (1993-2018), to assess the clinical use of IL-6 as a diagnostic, prognostic or predictive tumor biomarker or as a potential therapeutic target. This review includes 48 studies and 5316 patients. Circulating IL-6 levels appear to be an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with GI cancer, with high IL-6 levels associated with short overall survival (OS). The results for colorectal cancer were too ambiguous to give conclusive results. IL-6 seemed to be a marker for some of the clinical characteristics of GI cancer, and may have a role in the diagnostic workup in general practice. No published studies have examined the use of IL-6 as a therapeutic target in pancreatic, gastric, bile duct or colorectal cancer. In conclusion, high circulating IL-6 was associated with short OS in most studies in GI cancer patients. Whether inhibition of IL-6 would decrease GI cancer symptoms and increase quality of life is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noomi Vainer
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Dehlendorff
- Statistics and Pharmacoepidemiology, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julia S Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Medicine, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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