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Vol.52 No.3 contents | Japanese/English |
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- Case Report -
A Case of IL-6 Producing Malignant Pleuroperitoneum Mesothelioma
Tsutomu Hamada1, Go Tsukuya1, Keiko Mizuno1, Takuya Samukawa1, Hiromasa Inoue11Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Advanced Therapeutics Course, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan
Background. In mesothelioma, there are no clinically specific tumor markers, and it is difficult to evaluate an effective therapy from serum markers. Case. A 64-year old man presenting with general malaise and abdominal distension was admitted for observation showed elevated serum CRP, and ascites recognized by abdominal ultrasonography. The patient showed continuing high fever, and high levels of WBC and CRP, and was scheduled for diagnostic laparoscopy. A laparoscopic examination revealed a peritoneal tumor, and epithelial mesothelioma was observed histopathologically from the biopsy finding. This case was diagnosed as malignant thoracoabdominal mesothelioma, because thoracoabdominal enhanced CT showed abdominal mass, ascites, diffuse peritoneal thickening of 30-50 mm, and abnormal pleural thickening along the diaphragm. The antitumor drugs, pemetrexed and cisplatin were prescribed and while effective in reducing the volume of ascites, showed no effect on the thoracoabdominal thickening. Serum IL-6 level was high, and IL-6 antibody staining was positive. An IL-6-producing tumor was diagnosed and IL-6 production was thought to be accompanied by the onset of leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevated CRP levels, and fever. STAT3 antibody staining was positive, indicating the JAK-STAT pathway. Conclusion. The serum IL-6 level in this case was considered reflective of therapeutic efficacy.
key words: IL-6, Malignant mesothelioma, STAT3, JAK-STAT pathway
Received: July 11, 2011
Accepted: April 18, 2012
JJLC 52 (3): 290-295, 2012
