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Review
. 2024 Dec;55(4):1498-1510.
doi: 10.1007/s12029-024-01111-w. Epub 2024 Sep 11.

Role of Interleukins in Pancreatic Cancer: A Literature Review

Saira Rafaqat  1 , Huma Khurshid  2 , Ramsha Hafeez  2 , Mehnaz Arif  2 , Ayesha Zafar  2 , Mahrukh Gilani  2 , Habiba Ashraf  2 , Sana Rafaqat  3
Affiliations
Review

Role of Interleukins in Pancreatic Cancer: A Literature Review

Saira Rafaqat et al. J Gastrointest Cancer. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: This review article summarizes the pathophysiological aspects of interleukins (ILs) including IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, and IL-10 in pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods: Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar were used for the literature review. The search was conducted until August 12, 2024, and particular keywords such as "Pancreatic Cancer," "Interleukins," "Pathophysiological Aspects," "Immunosuppression," "Invasiveness," and "Metastasis" were used. Focusing on interleukins related to pancreatic cancer, 61 original studies were included: 32 studies for human patients, 16 studies for animal models, and 13 studies for both animal models and human patients. All types of PC were considered. The timeframe of 1991 to 2024 was chosen for clinical studies.

Results: In epithelial pancreatic tumors, IL-1 is a major inflammation factor. Serum concentrations of soluble interleukin-2-receptor were considerably greater in patients with PC and chronic pancreatitis than in healthy individuals. In comparison to controls, pancreatic cancer patients had considerably greater levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and significantly lower levels of stem cell factor and IL-3. The tissues and cells of pancreatic cancer have higher concentrations of IL-4 receptors. IL-5 has a role in the accumulation of pancreatic fibrosis. For individuals with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a high serum level of IL-6 may be a separate risk factor for the development of widespread liver metastases. PDAC patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibit a substantial upregulation of IL-7 receptor. The role of IL-8 in the growth and spread of PC in humans. The miR-200a/β-catenin axis may be the mechanism by which IL-9 stimulates the proliferation and metastasis of PC cells. Blocking IL-10 in the local microenvironment appears to result in a significant reversal of tumor-induced immunosuppression.

Conclusion: The article concludes that interleukins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 played significant roles in the pathogenesis of PC.

Keywords: Immunosuppression; Interleukins; Invasiveness; Metastasis; Pancreatic cancer; Pathophysiological aspects.

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References

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