Interleukin-6
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that plays a significant role in inflammation and the immune response. It is produced by various cell types, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts.
IL-6 can promote tumor cell proliferation and survival. Many cancer cells produce IL-6, which can create an autocrine loop that supports their growth.
IL-6 is a high-value inflammatory biomarker in cancer, reporting cytokine burden, catabolic stress, and STAT3-linked survival signaling. While not tumor-specific, elevated and rising IL-6 strongly predicts poor prognosis and limited treatment tolerance, making it an important system-state indicator alongside CRP and ferritin.
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