Prognostic value of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in laryngeal squamous cell cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as prognostic variables in patients with laryngeal squamous cell cancer. A total of 92 patients with primary diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC), treated between 2003 and 2005, were included in this evaluation. Preoperative serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Results were compared according to clinical and pathological date criteria. Serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in patients with LSCC compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Serum IL-6 level was associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), T classification (P < 0.001) and clinical stage (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that serum IL-6 was an independent predictor of LSCC-specific progression-free survival (P = 0.049) and overall survival (P = 0.040). Higher serum IL-6 level (IL-6 > 9.7 pg/ml) was associated with a shortened overall survival and progression-free survival (P < 0.05). Our data indicate that serum IL-6 is associated with the development and progression of LSCC. Serum IL-6 may serve as an independent prognostic marker for LSCC patients.