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Significance of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in breast cancer (review)

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Abstract

Cytokines are factors that are known to have both tumor-promoting and inhibitory effects on breast cancer growth depending presumably on their relative concentrations and the presence of other modulating factors. Different cytokines play an important role in controlling the immune system. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with obviously tumor-promoting and tumor-inhibitory effects. Here, we review the role of IL-6 in in vitro experiments of breast tumor cells, in breast tumor tissues (BTs) and assess its potential as a prognostic indicator in breast cancer patients. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, restricted to articles published in English language. In summary, results regarding the effect of IL-6 on breast tumor cells and on BTs are not unique indicating both tumor-promoting and inhibitory effects of IL-6. Concerning patients’ serum IL-6 levels, data are surprisingly unique showing IL-6 to be a negative prognosticator in breast tumor patients.

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  1. Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany

    Heike Knüpfer & Rainer Preiß

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  1. Heike Knüpfer
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  2. Rainer Preiß
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Correspondence to Heike Knüpfer.

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Knüpfer, H., Preiß, R. Significance of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in breast cancer (review). Breast Cancer Res Treat 102, 129–135 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9328-3

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