Interleukin-6 (IL-6) As an Alternative Biomarker of Carcinoma Prostate

Introduction: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that was identified originally as a stimulating factor for B-lymphocytes by virtue of its ability to drive differentiation of B cells into antibody-producing plasma cells. IL-6 stimulates the development of prostate carcinoma as well as production of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and progression of prostate cancer .The purpose of this study was therefore to look if IL-6 as could be used as an alternative biomarker for carcinoma prostrate. Methods: The study was carried out in diagnosed twenty-five Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and fifteen carcinoma (Ca) Prostate patients. Serum levels of total-prostate specific antigen (total-PSA), free prostate specific antigen (free-PSA) and IL-6 were assayed by chemiluminiscence method. Results: In BPH, total PSA, free PSA and IL-6 levels were 6.33+3.47ng/ml, 1.33+.77ng/ml and 3.51+3.03 pg/ml respectively. In Ca Prostrate total PSA, Free PSA and IL-6 were found to be 93.44 + 22.58 ng/ml, 15.28+3.81 ng/ml and 13.17 + 4.15 pg/ml respectively. Conclusion: IL-6 was found to be significantly higher in Ca Prostrate patients as compared to BPH patients. IL-6 can be considered as alternate marker to distinguish between BPH and Ca Prostrate patients and IL-6 receptors may be used as a target in treatment of Ca Prostate patients.