Interleukins as a potential link between obstructive sleep apnea and renal cell carcinoma

Intermittent hypoxia and the inflammatory processes occur in both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In recent years, multiple studies have shown a dose-dependent effect of OSA on the risk and prognosis of RCC. However, the pathogenesis of this process is still unknown. This study aimed to review the literature and identify the similarities in cytokine profiles of patients with OSA and RCC.

We included articles in English assessing cytokine levels in pediatric and adult patients with OSA and in patients with RCC. The exclusion criteria were animal and in vitro studies. The PubMed database was searched for articles.

After analyzing the search results, 66 articles were selected. Twenty different interleukins were studied in OSA research. Most RCC pro-cancerogenic cytokines (IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-18, IL-23, IL-33) had higher levels in OSA patients than in controls.

This review emphasizes similarities in a spectrum of cytokines in OSA and RCC patients, with significantly elevated levels of RCC pro-cancerogenic interleukins in OSA patients. This may suggest a possible link between untreated OSA and the prognosis of RCC. Also, the treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure led to a decrease in pro-cancerogenic cytokines, which could have important therapeutic implications in OSA-positive patients treated for RCC.