Dynamic Soluble IL-6R/Soluble gp130 Ratio as a Potential Indicator for the Prostate Malignancy Phenotype-A...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Prostate tumors, including prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), pose significant public health challenges.
• Inflammation, immunity, and cancer are interconnected, with IL-6 signaling playing a potential role in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate systemic abnormalities in IL-6 signaling within the inflammatory tumor microenvironment of prostate tumors.
• To identify specific alterations in IL-6 complex components, acute phase proteins, and oxidative stress markers in PCa versus BPH.

Main Methods:

• A multicentered, case-controlled study involving 86 patients (43 BPH, 43 PCa).
• Analysis of IL-6 complex (IL-6, sIL-6R, sgp130), acute phase proteins (CRP, AGPA, ferritin, albumin, transferrin), and oxidative stress markers (MDA, PCO, 8-OHdG, TAS).

Main Results:

• PCa exhibited IL-6 signaling alterations, including over-regulated sIL-6R and suppressed sgp130 compared to BPH.
• Elevated acute phase markers (CRP, AGPA, ferritin) and decreased albumin/transferrin were more pronounced in PCa.
• PCa showed a greater imbalance between oxidative damage and antioxidant status, with a significant association between the sIL-6R/sgp130 ratio and inflammatory/oxidative factors.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms IL-6's role in promoting prostate tumorigenesis.
• A high sIL-6R/sgp130 ratio is identified as a facilitator of prostate malignancy.