The Role of Interleukin 6 and Cyclooxygenase 2 In Progressivity and Metastatic Process in Andavce Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, their prognostic value remains controversial. <b>Objective:</b> To determine the prognostic value of COX-2 and IL-6 on survival in patients with advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). <b>Method:</b> This study recruited advanced-stage NSCLC patients. Serum COX-2 and IL-6 levels were measured using ELISA and analyzed for 2-year survival. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazard models were used to evaluate the relationship between COX-2, IL-6 level, and patient’s survival time. <b>Result:</b> A total of 30 patients (76.7% male and 23.3% female) were evaluated. The most common type is adenocarcinoma (63.3%) and at IVA stage (70%). The median concentrations of COX-2 and IL-6 were 14.00 U/L and 20.89 ng/L respectively and were defined as the cutoff points for dividing the patients into low and high groups. COX-2 and IL-6 levels were associated with the TNM stage, being higher in the IVB stage (p = 0.009 and 0.005). Extensive metastases were evaluated in 25 patients by comparing M1a, M1b, and M1c. The results showed that the higher serum COX-2 and IL-6 levels, the wider metastasis occurred (p = 0.008 and 0.002). For all patients, the hazard ratio with high COX-2 and IL-6 levels for lung cancer-specific survival was 1.59 [95% CI = 0.74-3.41] and 1.21 [95% CI = 0.57-2.54] compared with low COX-2 and IL-6 levels (p &gt;0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> High levels of both IL-6 and COX-2 were not related to survival, however,&nbsp;were found to be statistically significant with stages and metastasis.