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Circulating Interleukin-6 Levels and Timing of Acute Ischemic Stroke Onset
Robert G Kowalski1,2, Aurélie Ledreux1, John E Violette3
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
|August 29, 2025
Summary
A novel blood test measuring interleukin 6 (IL-6) can help determine the time of an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This biomarker may expand eligibility for crucial intravenous thrombolysis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Intravenous thrombolysis is a key treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
- Treatment is time-limited to 4.5 hours from stroke onset.
- Many patients miss this window due to unknown stroke onset times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of the cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) as a biomarker for estimating stroke onset time.
- To determine the diagnostic accuracy of IL-6 levels in acute ischemic stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from patients after acute ischemic stroke.
- Levels of the cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured.
- IL-6 concentrations were correlated with stroke onset time.
Main Results:
- Interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were elevated as early as 26 minutes post-stroke.
- IL-6 levels continued to increase over the 24 hours following stroke.
- IL-6 measurements demonstrated 80% sensitivity and 74% specificity for estimating stroke occurrence.
Conclusions:
- Circulating IL-6 is an early and dynamic biomarker of acute ischemic stroke.
- IL-6 blood levels can help estimate stroke onset time.
- A point-of-care IL-6 test could increase patient eligibility for thrombolysis.
