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Prognostic role of interleukin-6 in renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

To evaluate the prognostic role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Method

Relevant research articles were obtained from literature databases. Data were extracted from study reports which reported IL-6 levels in relevance to RCC prognosis and random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate IL-6 levels, percentage of patients with high IL-6 levels, and hazard/odds ratios between high and low IL-6 levels in survival outcomes.

Results

22 studies (1976 patients; age 59.9 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 58.0, 61.8]; 33% [95% CI 29, 36] females) were included. IL-6 levels in RCC patients ranged from 8.9 ± 13–193 ± 101 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml) which were higher than those of normal healthy individuals (mean difference 13.96 pg/ml [95% CI: 1.52, 26.40]; p = 0.03). Percentage of RCC patients with high IL-6 levels was 48.98% [95% CI 42.94, 55.03] and this rate was greater in advanced (51.73% [95% CI 45.94, 57.53]) than in local (40.75% [95% CI 26.23, 55.27]) RCC. Survival was longer in patients with low compared to high IL-6 levels (MD 9.65 months [95% CI 5.01, 14.29]; p < 0.0006 and hazard ratio 3.03 [95% CI 2.37, 3.70]). Treatment response rate was significantly higher in patients with low IL-6 than high IL-6 levels (odds ratio 5.11 [95% CI 2.21, 11.77]; p < 0.00001). There was a strong correlation between IL-6 and c-reactive protein levels (correlation coefficient 0.622 [95% CI 0.431, 0.760]; p = 0.00001).

Conclusion

IL-6 levels are much variable in RCC patients. High levels of IL-6 in RCC patients are associated with poor survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urologic Surgery, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, No. 717, Jinbu Street, Muping District, Yantai, Shandong, 264100, China

    Y. Wang

  2. Office of Quality Assurance and Safety Management, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264100, China

    Y. Zhang

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Wang, Y., Zhang, Y. Prognostic role of interleukin-6 in renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Clin Transl Oncol 22, 835–843 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-019-02192-x

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