Related Experiment Video For biliary tract cancer
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating Immune Cell Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment — Challenges and Innovations in Cancer Prognosis
Published on: April 12, 2024
Interleukin-6 and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio Indices Identify Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Teerachat Saeheng1, Juntra Karbwang2, Kesara Na-Bangchang1,2
1Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), 99, moo 18, Phaholyothin Road, Klongneung Sub-District, Klongluang District, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand.
Background And Aims:
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a fatal biliary tract cancer with a dismal prognosis due to ineffective diagnostic tools with limited clinical utility. This study investigated peripheral blood indices and cytokine levels to diagnose iCCA.
Methods:
Blood samples were collected from healthy subjects (n = 48) and patients with advanced-stage iCCA (n = 47) during a phase I and then phase II trial, respectively. Serum cytokines were measured using a flow cytometer. The peripheral blood indices were estimated based on laboratory data. Multi-linear regression analysis was applied, followed by a probability transformation. The cut-off value and model accuracy were determined using the receiver operating curve (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC).
Results:
The interleukin-6 (IL6) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were potential predictors of iCCA [AUC = 0.91 (0.85-0.97) and 0.81 (0.68-0.93); sensitivity = 0.70 and 0.91; specificity = 0.91 and 0.85, respectively]. Patients with IL6 concentrations higher than 11.635 pg/mL (OR = 23.33, p < 0.001) or LMR lower than 7.2 (OR = 58.08, p < 0.001) are at risk of iCCA development. Patients with IL6 levels higher than 21.83 pg/mL, between 15.95 and 21.83 pg/mL, between 8.8 and 15.94 pg/mL, and lower than 8.8 pg/mL were classified as very high-, high-, intermediate-, and low-risk, respectively. Patients with an LMR between 1 and 3.37, 3.38 and 5.76, 5.77 and 7.18, and higher than 7.18 were classified as very high-, high-, intermediate-, and low-risk, respectively.
Conclusions:
LMR is recommended for iCCA screening since the estimation is based on a routine laboratory test, which is available in most hospitals.
