Are Proinflammatory Cytokines Relevant for the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer?

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Inflammation plays an important role in prostate cancer (PCa). We evaluated proinflammatory cytokines regarding differential diagnosis of PCa in men with PSA levels between 2-10 ng/ml. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples of 79 men (PSA 2-10 ng/ml) were analyzed for 10 proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12p70, IL-13) and results were evaluated regarding presence of PCa and disease severity. RESULTS: Significant differences between PCa patients and controls were found for IL-6 (p=0.002), IL-8 (p=0.030), and TNF-α (p=0.009), although they were not predictors of PCa in a logistic regression analysis. In addition, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in patients with high-risk PCa (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed regarding the other cytokines. CONCLUSION: In patients with PSA levels between 2-10 ng/ml, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are associated with PCa, and IL-6 and TNF-α are associated with high-risk PCa.