Interleukine-6 (IL-6) may be a link between myasthenia gravis and myoepithelioma of the parotid gland

Med Hypotheses. 2007;68(2):314-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.06.057. Epub 2006 Sep 25.

Abstract

Myoepithelioma is a rare benign neoplasm of the salivary glands occurring more frequently in the parotids. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic, T-cell dependent, antibody and complement-mediated autoimmune neuromuscular transmission disorder. Interleukine-6 (IL-6) is an immune protein belonging to the family of the hematopoietins, liberated in response to infection, burns, trauma, and neoplastic diseases. It seems that an overproduction of IL-6 might play an important role in the pathophysiology of MG. Moreover, it has been discussed the possible role of IL-6 as a modulating factor either in proliferation or in differentiation of pleomorphic adenoma cell line into myoepithelioma. The authors present a rare case of parotid myoepithelioma occurred in a patient affected by myasthenia gravis and suppose a possible IL-6 mediated relationship between myasthenia gravis and parotid myoepithelioma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / physiology*
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis / physiopathology*
  • Myoepithelioma / physiopathology*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-6