Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression.<h4>Results</h4>BALF concentrations of CEA, CYFRA21-1, NSE, ProGRP, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-<i>α</i> were significantly higher in lung cancer patients than in benign controls, whereas IL-10 was lower, resulting in a markedly elevated IL-6/IL-10 ratio (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Here, IL6 is linked to lung carcinoma.