Published online Sep 20, 2022. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v12.i5.428
Peer-review started: December 13, 2021
First decision: March 24, 2022
Revised: April 1, 2022
Accepted: July 24, 2022
Article in press: July 24, 2022
Published online: September 20, 2022
Processing time: 277 Days and 4.2 Hours
Glioma is the most common primary tumor in the brain originating from glial cells. In spite of extensive research, the overall survival rate is not enhanced. A number of published articles observed differentially circulating levels of cytokines in glioma. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein coded by IL-6 gene is regulated by the immune system and it has been found to have a significant role in progression and apoptosis resistance of glioma.
To review the role of circulatory IL-6 in the development and progression of glioma and its utility as a biomarker.
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were applied to filter the relevant studies based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. We used a combination of keywords and the Reference Citation Analysis (RCA) tool to search the potential studies and performed data extraction from selected studies.
The published results were inconsistent; however, most studies showed a significantly higher IL-6 level in glioma cases as compared to controls. Com
IL-6 level significantly differed between cases and controls, and among different cancer stages, which shows its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic marker.
Core Tip: In spite of extensive research in the field of brain oncology, the overall survival is not much improved. There is an urgent need to explore the circulatory markers for diagnosis and prognosis. This systematic review focused on the role of interleukin-6 in brain cancer development and progression and its utility as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker.