The Elevated Expression of IL-6 in BALF and Serum - A Diagnostic Tool for Detection of Lung Cancer

Abstract

IL-6 is a prototypical pro-inflammatory cytokine, promoting tumor establishment and progression. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the levels of IL-6 in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of patients with different sub-types of lung cancer.
The study was performed in a group of samples including 10 Adenocarcinoma, 10 Squamous cell carcinoma, 10 Small cell carcinoma and 7 non-cancerous benign lung diseases. The levels of IL-6 in BALF were significantly higher in patients with all the
sub-types of lung cancer compared to patients with benign diseases. Howeve, serum levels of IL-6 were about half as compared to
BALF except for adenocarcinoma which showed a nearly equal concentration of IL-6 in BALF and serum. Taken together our
results indicate that the high concentration of IL-6 in BALF and serum may serve as a useful indicator to distinguish lung cancer
from benign lung diseases and thus may serve as an important screening tool.