Dynamics of proinflammatory cytokine levels and their role in the development of local and systemic effects during progressing cervical cancer

Abstract

In order to evaluate the role of cytokines in the development of polymodal local and distant effects in patients with stages I-IV cervical cancer, the following parameters were measured: serum concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10; levels of malondialdehyde, activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-reductase in the plasma, erythrocyte, and cervix uteri homogenate. The expression of p53, Bcl-2, VEGF, and Ki-67 in tumor tissue was evaluated. High levels of malondialdehyde in tumor tissue and erythrocyte were paralleled by low levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase and high activities of glutathiones. Medium correlations between Ki-67, Bcl-2, and p53 and the levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α at stages Ib-IIa were detected. The results indicated that the progress of cervical cancer was associated with the neoplasm integration in the host homeostasis by using the regional and systemic cytokine functions. These effects, amplifying the biological potential of the tumor, were the most significant at stages Ib-IIa.