Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide
health problem. The aim was to evaluate diagnostic and
prognostic role of serum Interleukin 6 (IL6) in Egyptian patients
with chronic hepatitis C related HCC. Methods: This study was
conducted on 80 Egyptian participants; 35 patients diagnosed as
LC (group 1), 35 patients diagnosed as HCC (group 2), and10
apparently healthy individuals (group 3). All patients included in
the study, were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical
examination, routine laboratory and radiological investigations.
Additionally, quantitative measurement of serum IL-6 and AFP
levels using an ELISA were done for all patients and controls.
Results: HCC was presented more in males (51.4%) than females
(48.6%) with a mean age of 61.89 ±8.22 years. AFP and IL-6
levels were significantly higher in HCC group (group 2) than in
liver cirrhosis group (group 1). IL6 at a cutoff point of
(45.65pg/ml), showed a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 82.9%, PPV of 83.3, NPV of
85.3 and AUC=0.858, Comparing AUCs, revealed that combined (AFP+IL6) was
significantly better than each marker alone. Serum IL-6 level was higher in patients with
Child class B than child class A patients. Conclusion: Serum level of IL-6 can represent a
potential beneficial biomarker for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with good sensitivity
especially if combined with AFP but with low specificity and may have a limited role in
prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. |
