Interleukin-6/interleukin-10 ratio and immune dysregulation after radiofrequency ablation

BACKGROUND The immune response following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is characterized by a dynamic interaction between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors. An elevated ratio of interleukin (IL)-6 to IL-10 may serve as a key indicator of post-RFA immune dysregulation. AIM To evaluate the prognostic relevance of the IL-6/IL-10 ratio as a surrogate indicator of immune dysregulation in patients with malignant liver tumors treated by RFA. METHODS We enrolled 91 patients undergoing RFA for hepatic malignancies were prospectively enrolled. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured both prior to the procedure and within 7 days post-RFA. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the association between the IL-6/IL-10 ratio and clinical outcomes. RESULTS The study population consisted predominantly of males (74.73%), with a mean age of 60.88 ± 9.03 years. Most participants presented with ≤ 2 hepatic lesions (91.21%) and well-preserved hepatic function, as indicated by Child-Pugh class A status (98.9%). The mean lesion diameter was 26.27 ± 13.8 mm, and 78.02% had a documented history of hepatitis B virus infection. Post-procedural cytokine profiling revealed a marked and rapid surge in IL-6 concentrations peaking within 24 hours after RFA, whereas IL-10 exhibited only a modest elevation. Consequently, the IL-6/IL-10 ratio remained persistently elevated throughout the 7-day monitoring period (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the IL-6/IL-10 ratio as an independent prognostic indicator for adverse post-ablation outcomes (odds ratio = 1.11 per unit increment, 95%CI: 1.033-1.204, P = 0.006), with higher ratios signifying increased inflammatory burden. In contrast, elevated serum albumin levels conferred a protective effect (odds ratio = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.668-0.961, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION The IL-6/IL-10 ratio may constitute a clinically relevant biomarker indicative of immune dysregulation after RFA, with potential implications for understanding inflammation-driven outcomes and tailoring post-RFA management.