IL6, rIL-6R and general alkaline phosphotase activity in bone tumors and their role in the prognosis of disease
The comparative analysis of IL-6, rIL-6R levels and of general AP activity in blood serum of 159 patients with different malignant and benign bone tumors was carried out. Medians of serum IL-6 levels were found significantly higher in bone sarcomas (5,3 pg/ml), benign tumors (3,2 pg/ml) and also in giant cell tumors (GCT) (3,9 pg/ml) than in control group (1,2 pg/ml, p=0,0001). The highest IL-6 levels were observed in malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) and also in Ewing''s sarcomas. As for IL-6 receptors, no differences were observed in rIL-6R levels among bone sarcomas, benign bone tumors and also GCT. The reverse correspondence between initial rIL-6R serum levels (before treatment), treatment pathomorphosis and malignancy level were demonstrated in EwS and OS. rIL-6R serum levels correlated positively with tumor size (T) especially in chondrosarcomas (ChS). Also the positive correlation was shown between general AP activity and both of tumor size and metastasizing (p=0,02) and additionally malignancy level in patients with bone sarcomas. Reliable differences were found in AP serum activity between benign and malignant bone neoplasms. Combination of IL-6 level and of general AP activity was evaluated as the most significant for relapse-free survival prognosis in patients with bone sarcomas by multifactor analysis.