The role of interleukin-6 in gynaecological malignancies

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2012 Dec;23(6):333-42. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2012.08.005. Epub 2012 Sep 30.

Abstract

There are many parallels between gynaecological cancers in relation to cytokine networks within their respective tumour microenvironments and evidence to support interleukin-6 (IL-6) being an appropriate therapeutic target in these diseases. This article provides an overview on IL-6 biology including updates on novel discoveries in IL-6 signalling and then focuses on the role of IL-6 in processes such as cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, evasion of tumour immunity and chemoresistance and presents data relating to the abrogation of these processes with anti-IL-6 targeted therapy in preclinical and clinical studies. The overall aim will be to highlight the necessity for further translational studies concentrating on combinations of anti-IL-6/IL-6R therapies with other novel targets in an attempt to significantly improve overall survival in patients with gynaecological cancers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascitic Fluid / chemistry
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / metabolism*
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Interleukin-6