European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Interleukin 6 is a proinflammatory cytokine indicated in many types of cancer.
Increased cytokine levels are found in oral submucous fibrosis which is a premalignant
condition. Immunohistochemical evaluation of interleukin 6 will help in better understanding
of progression of OSF and OSCC
Materials and methods: Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded oral submucous fibrosis tissue
blocks were obtained from departmental archives. 40 samples each of early, moderately
advanced and severe OSF were randomly selected. 20 samples of normal mucosa and 20
samples of OSCC were selected. Immunohistochemistry was performed, quantitatively and
qualitatively assessed for expression of IL 6.
Results: The test results demonstrated a significant difference in the percentage of expression
in the IL-6 expression between 3 groups ( P<0.001).. Higher intensity and percentage of
expression was found in OSCC and the expression was cytoplasmic. Despite having an
increasing trend in the expression of IL-6 based on tumour grade, there was no statistically
significant difference noted. OSF group showed higher mean Q scores as compared to control
group but the difference was not statistically significant. Despite having an increasing trend in
the expression of IL-6 based on tumour grade, there was no statistically significant difference
noted.
Conclusion: Interleukin 6 is consistently expressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma but not in
OSF tissues. Immunohistochemical marking of interleukin-6 in surgically excised oral
squamous cell carcinoma specimen may help in understanding prognosis.