IL6 and benign prostatic hyperplasia: Previous researchers found that prostatitis is strongly associated with an increased risk of worsening lower urinary tract symptoms, a risk of urinary retention and the need for surgery.[40] Overexpression of the IL-17 signaling pathway pro-inflammatory factor IL-17 stimulates a multifold increase in IL-6 and IL-8, thus promoting the growth of the BPH endothelial matrix.[35,41] In addition, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 may perpetuate chronic immune response in BPH and induce fibromuscular growth by an autocrine or paracrine loop or via induction of COX-2 expression.