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01-11-2013 | Original Article

Interleukin-6 but not tumour necrosis factor-alpha predicts survival in patients with advanced cancer

Authors: Sang-Yeon Suh, Youn Seon Choi, Chang Hwan Yeom, Sang Mi Kwak, Ho Min Yoon, Dae Gyun Kim, Su-Jin Koh, Jeanno Park, Myung Ah Lee, Yong Joo Lee, Ah-Ram Seo, Hong-Yup Ahn, Eunji Yim

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 11/2013

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the survival of patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study between three hospice and palliative care centres in South Korea, we followed 98 advanced cancer patients until death or the end of the study. Approximately 60 % of the patients had poor functional status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≥3). We investigated the symptoms of cancer cachexia anorexia syndrome, possible cytokine-related confounders such as infection and medication records. Influence from clinical variables was adjusted using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The median survival time was 27 days. On multivariate analysis, elevated IL-6 (hazard ratio, 2.139; p = 0.003) was found to be an independent significant prognostic factor. TNF-α was not a significant factor. Poor performance status and male gender were also independently related to shortened survival.

Conclusions

IL-6 level can be a useful indicator of survival time of patients with advanced cancer at the very end of life. In contrast, the prognostic role of TNF-α requires further study.

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Title: Interleukin-6 but not tumour necrosis factor-alpha predicts survival in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Sang-Yeon Suh
Youn Seon Choi
Chang Hwan Yeom
Sang Mi Kwak
Ho Min Yoon
Dae Gyun Kim
Su-Jin Koh
Jeanno Park
Myung Ah Lee
Yong Joo Lee
Ah-Ram Seo
Hong-Yup Ahn
Eunji Yim
Publication date: 01-11-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 11/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1878-4

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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