Association between serum cytokines and progression of breast cancer in Chinese population

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, squamous cell cancer antigen (SCC-Ag), and cytokeratin 21-1 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) in the metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer. A total of 534 breast cancer patients admitted to our department between January 2011 and December 2014 were enrolled in this study. Besides, 452 matched healthy individuals received physical examination at the same period served as the normal control. Serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined using an immunoradiometric assay. SCC-Ag level was evaluated using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. CYFRA 21-1 was determined using the chemiluminescence assay. Compared with the control group, a significant increase was noticed in the serum IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in breast cancer patients, especially those with severe conditions (P < .01). Serum IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 showed a significant increase in the patients with severe breast cancer compared with those with mild conditions (P < .05). For the patients with response after radiotherapy, the serum IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were significantly decreased compared with the baseline levels (P < .05). The median survival duration for the patients of SCC-Ag negative patients was 25 months, while that for the SCC-Ag positive group was 16 months. Significant difference was noticed in the survival of SCC-Ag negative group compared with that of SCC-Ag positive group (P < .05). Serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, SCC-Ag, and CYFRA 21-1 were considered as potential markers in the metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer.