Diagnostic and Prognostic Utility of IL-6 and MMP-7 in Pediatric Immune Mediated Interstitial Lung Disease

Plain-language summary

Pediatric interstitial lung disease (ILD) represents a heterogeneous group of rare but potentially severe pulmonary disorders characterized by diffuse parenchymal involvement and impaired gas exchange. Among these, immune-mediated ILD constitutes a significant subgroup, often associated with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, leading to progressive lung damage and substantial morbidity. Early diagnosis and accurate prognostication of pediatric ILD remain challenging due to overlapping clinical presentations, nonspecific radiological findings, and the lack of reliable biomarkers. Consequently, there is an increasing need to identify measurable biological indicators that can aid in both diagnosis and prediction of disease progression. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in immune regulation and has been implicated in various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Elevated IL-6 levels have been associated with disease activity and severity in multiple pulmonary conditions. Similarly, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and has emerged as a promising biomarker in interstitial lung diseases, reflecting ongoing tissue injury and fibrosis. The combined assessment of IL-6 and MMP-7 may provide valuable insights into both inflammatory activity and fibrotic processes in immune-mediated ILD. This dual role suggests their potential utility not only as diagnostic markers but also as prognostic indicators for disease progression and clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of IL-6 and MMP-7 in children with immune-mediated interstitial lung disease, with the goal of improving early detection, risk stratification, and clinical management.

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