Cytokine levels in patients with Epstein–Barr virus associated laryngeal carcinoma

Abstract Objective: Some researchers have suggested that Epstein–Barr virus may play a role in the pathogenesis of laryngeal malignancies. In order to clarify the role of cytokines in this disease context, the current study aimed to determine the serum levels of cytokines in Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Subjects: The study included 10 patients with diagnosed laryngeal carcinoma and Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive tumour tissue samples. The control group comprised 10 Epstein–Barr virus DNA negative patients diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma, 10 patients with acute Epstein–Barr virus infection and 10 healthy individuals. Method: Serum cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive and negative laryngeal carcinoma patients showed no differences regarding serum levels of the following cytokines: interleukins 1β, 2, 6 and 12, tumour necrosis factor α, and interferon γ. However, serum levels of interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β1 were significantly higher in Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive laryngeal carcinoma patients compared with Epstein–Barr virus DNA negative laryngeal carcinoma patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the cytokines interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β1 may act as growth factors in Epstein–Barr virus related laryngeal carcinoma. These cytokines may thus represent potential targets for molecular therapeutic treatment for laryngeal carcinoma; they may also be useful as indicators of disease prognosis.

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