The IL-6 and COX-2 expression related to sensitivity of chemoradiotherapy and prognosis in esophageal carcinoma

Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for esophageal cancer induces inflammatory responses within tumor tissues. Inflammatory cells infiltrated into the tumor tissues may modulate the CRT responses via inflammation-related molecules such as interleukin (IL)-6 or cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. In the present study, we investigated a relationship between IL-6/COX-2 expression and CRT responses for esophageal cancer. A surgical resection following CRT was performed, and the specimens from the patients with cT3/T4 esophageal squamous cell examined for IL-6/COX-2 expression in both residual cancer and stromal cells by immunohistochemical staining. CRT responses were divided into responder group (Grade 1b and Grade 2) and non-responder group (Grade 1a). COX-2 in cancer cells and IL-6 in stromal cells were associated with non-responder and responder, respectively. In addition, IL-6 in stromal cells was significantly correlated with overall survival. Our data suggest that inflammatory responses concomitant with CRT responses could play a role in chemoradiation responses and prognosis. (author)