Immunomodulatory effect of betulin and its derivatives on IL-6 expression in colorectal cancer cell lines and molecular docking insights

Structural modification of betulin enhances its molecular therapeutic activity, with phosphonate derivative ECH147 showing the strongest decrease in IL-6 levels. These findings suggest that IL-6 downregulation can serve as a molecular biomarker for drug efficacy, while ECH147 represents a promising candidate for targeted molecular therapy in CRC. This dual diagnostic-therapeutic approach highlights the potential of betulin derivatives in advancing precision medicine for IL-6-mediated pathways.