Interleukin-6 in Breast Cancer: Mechanisms and Research Progress

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine, plays a pivotal role in the initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance of breast cancer. Emerging evidence demonstrates that IL-6 drives tumor cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and remodeling of the metastatic tumor microenvironment (TME) through activation of signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT3. At the clinical-translational level, elevated IL-6 levels are strongly associated with increased chemoresistance, diminished targeted therapy responsiveness, and adverse prognosis in breast cancer patients. Intervention strategies targeting the IL-6 pathway have shown promising efficacy in preclinical models, including tumor growth suppression and reversal of therapeutic resistance, yet their clinical applicability requires validation through large-scale clinical trials. Future research should focus on integrating multi-omics data to develop prognostic stratification models that optimize precision treatment strategies. This study provides a multidimensional exploration of IL-6's functional landscape in breast cancer, aiming to advance innovative molecular perspectives for precision diagnostics and therapeutics, while establishing theoretical foundations and directional guidance for translational medicine research targeting IL-6 signaling.