Over-expression of interleukin-6 enhances cell survival and transformed cell growth in human malignant cholangiocytes

Interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 in hilar cholangiocarcinoma

The pathogenesis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a complex process involving progressive abnormalities of cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. The progress of molecular biology techniques and the advances in research of malignant tumor cell receptors and proliferation regulation at the molecular level have led to the development of molecular targeted therapy. In recent years, many studies suggest that interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels are correlated with the development and prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma. A more detailed understanding of the roles of cytokines may provide new therapeutic targets for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. In this paper, we review the progress in research of IL-6 and COX in hilar cholangiocarcinoma.