Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that activates a classic signalling pathway upon binding to its membrane-bound receptor (IL-6R). Alternatively, IL-6 may ‘trans-signal’ in a manner that is facilitated by its binding to a soluble derivative of the IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R). Resultant signal transduction is, respectively, driven by the association of IL-6/IL-6R or IL-6/sIL-6R complex with the membrane-associated signal transducer, gp130 (Glycoprotein 130). Distinct JAK (Janus tyrosine kinase)/STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) and other signalling pathways are activated as a consequence. Of translational relevance, overexpression of IL-6 has been documented in several neoplastic disorders, including but not limited to colorectal, ovarian and breast cancer and several haematological malignancies. This review attempts to summarise our current understanding of the role of IL-6 in cancer development. In short, these studies have shown important roles for IL-6 signalling in tumour cell growth and survival, angiogenesis, immunomodulation of the tumour microenvironment, stromal cell activation, and ultimate disease progression. Given this background, we also consider the potential for therapeutic targeting of this system in cancer.
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December 2018
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Dysfunctional cytoskeleton and neurodegeneration: novel pathways in Parkinson's disease? This image represents the degeneration of the neuronal tree during the aging process. In this issue Civiero et al. discuss the consequence of impaired cytoskeletal dynamics on neurite morphology and neuronal physiology in Parkinson's disease. For further details see pages 1653–1663.
Review Article|
November 22 2018
The role of the interleukin (IL)-6/IL-6 receptor axis in cancer
Mustafa Yassin Taher;
Mustafa Yassin Taher
1King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, U.K.
2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia
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David Marc Davies;
David Marc Davies
1King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, U.K.
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John Maher
1King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, U.K.
3Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, U.K.
4Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex BN21 2UD, U.K.
Correspondence: John Maher (john.maher@kcl.ac.uk)
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
July 15 2018
Revision Received:
October 19 2018
Accepted:
October 22 2018
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2018
Biochem Soc Trans (2018) 46 (6): 1449–1462.
Article history
Received:
July 15 2018
Revision Received:
October 19 2018
Accepted:
October 22 2018
Citation
Mustafa Yassin Taher, David Marc Davies, John Maher; The role of the interleukin (IL)-6/IL-6 receptor axis in cancer. Biochem Soc Trans 17 December 2018; 46 (6): 1449–1462. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20180136
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