The influence of prostatic Cutibacterium acnes infection on serum levels of IL6 and CXCL8 in prostate cancer patients

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatic inflammation, caused by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), has been proposed to influence the risk of prostate cancer development. In vitro studies have demonstrated the capacity of C. acnes to induce secretion of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) by prostate epithelial cells. Both these inflammatory mediators have been implicated in prostate cancer pathophysiology. In this cohort study, we aimed to investigate the influence of prostatic C. acnes on serum levels of IL6 and CXCL8. METHODS: We recruited 99 prostate cancer patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at Örebro University Hospital. The cultivation of pre-operatively obtained prostate biopsies identified C. acnes in 60 of the 99 patients. Levels of IL6 and CXCL8 in pre-operative serum samples were analyzed using ELISA, and concentrations were compared between prostate cancer patients with and without prostatic C. acnes infection using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: No statistical differences were observed in serum levels of IL6 and CXCL8 between subjects with and without prostatic C. acnes infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that prostatic C. acnes infection may give rise to low-grade inflammation with little effect on systemic levels of IL6 and CXCL8.