Assessment of the relationship between interleukin-6 and platelets in stomach cancer 

Nadezhda I. Mikulyak, Doctor of medical sciences, professor, head of the sub-department of human physiology, Medical Institute, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), E-mail: normphys@mail.ru
Oleg A. Yurtaev, Postgraduate student, Medical Institute, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), E-mail: the.origin@yandex.ru
Aleksandr S. Kinzirskiy, Doctor of medical sciences, professor, deputy director of the Scientific Research Institute of Cardiology named after Academician V.N. Smirnov, National Medical Research Center of Cardiology named after Academician E. I. Chazov (15a Akademika Chazova street, Moscow, Russia), E-mail: akinz@inbox.ru
Denis I. Zhuravlev, Student, Medical Institute, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), E-mail: denis9447@mail.ru
Lyudmila A. Ashchina, Candidate of biological sciences, senior researcher of the central research laboratory, Penza Institute of Advanced Medical Studies – branch of the Federal State Government-financed Educational Establishment of Additional Professional Education “Russian Medical Academy of Life-long Professional Learning” of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation (8A Stasova street, Penza, Russia), E-mail: pushino2008@yandex.ru 

Objective. The development of reactive thrombocytosis in gastric cancer is associated with an increased level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is produced by cells that are part of the tumor microenvironment. The purpose of the study is to determine the platelet count and serum IL-6 level in stages I–III of gastric cancer and evaluate the relationship between them. Materials and methods. The prospective study involved 38 patients with GC and 40 healthy volunteers. Platelet count was determined as part of a complete blood count and the normal range was 150–350 × 109. The content of IL-6 in blood serum was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, taking values of 0–10.0 ng/ml as the norm. Results. Thrombocytosis was detected in 11% of patients with GC (28.9%). Statistically significant differences compared to the control group were found in all groups. In group 1, the level of statistical significance was p=0.047 and Z=-1.989, in group 2 - p=0.005 and Z=-2.783, in group 3 - p=0.001 and Z=-4.108. The content of IL-6 exceeded the normal value in 36 patients (94.7%), reaching its highest values at stage II of the disease. A positive correlation was found between the stage of GC and IL-6 (r=0.747), the stage of GC and platelet count (r=0.508), platelet count and IL-6 (r=0.474). Conclusion. Reactive thrombocytosis in gastric cancer can be stimulated with the participation of inflammatory mediators, including IL-6. Platelets and IL-6 take part in the development of the inflammatory process, which is especially pronounced in locally advanced tumors. 

tumor, gastric cancer, interleukin-6, platelets

Mikulyak N.I., Yurtaev O.A., Kinzirsky A.S., Zhuravlev D.I., Ashchina L.A. Assessment of the relationship between interleukin-6 and platelets in stomach cancer. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Meditsinskie nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Medical sciences. 2024;(2):194–204. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2072-3032-2024-2-17