Interleukin-6 as a Risk and Prognostic Biomarker in Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Loayza-Castro J.A.; Vásquez-Romero L.E.M.; Valladolid-Sandoval L.A.M.; Vigil-Ventura E.; Sanchez-Tamay N.M.; Zuzunaga-Montoya F.E.; Tapia-Limonchi R.; Vera-Ponce V.J. · Journal of Cancer Research Updates (2024) · DOI: 10.30683/1929-2279.2024.13.07

Resumen

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in its pathogenesis and progression, but its role as a prognostic biomarker remains controversial. Objective: To evaluate the association between serum IL-6 levels and the risk or prognosis in patients with GC through a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis. Methods: A SR was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were studies in adults that assessed the risk or prognostic capacity of IL-6 in GC, with quantifiable association measures such as hazard ratio (HR) or relative risk (RR). Studies focusing on specific populations or lacking survival data were excluded. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A meta-analysis using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was performed. Results: Four studies (two case-control and two retrospective cohort studies) involving a total of 1,007 patients were included. The meta-analysis of cohort studies showed a significant association between elevated IL-6 levels and poorer prognosis (combined HR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.21-2.43, p = 0.002). Heterogeneity was low (I² = 0%). Discussion: The results suggest that elevated serum IL-6 is associated with a worse prognosis in GC. However, variability in IL-6 cut-off points and methodological differences between studies limit the generalizability of these findings. Larger, prospective, and standardized studies are needed to validate IL-6's role as a prognostic biomarker in GC and to establish clinically relevant cut-off points.

Instituciones: Universidad Continental; Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas