Expression Of Interleukin-18 In Patients With Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: Interleukin(IL)-18 is a potent immunomodulatorycytokine promoting Th-1 and cytotoxic immune responses throughinterferon(IFN)-γinduction. The aim of this study was to investigatethe production of IL-18 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas(LSCC).Methods: Serum IL-18 level were determined in patients with LSCC,and the relationship with clinicopathologic factors was investigated.Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 15 healthy volunteers andfrom 30 patients with LSCC before curative surgery. IL-18 level wasdetermined in each serum sample by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on tumor specimensfrom 39 patients with primary LSCC, 21 cases of atypical hyperplasia ofvocal fold and 10 healthy controls.Results: Mean serum IL-18 level was significantly higher in patientswith LSCC compared with healthy volunteers (P< 0.05) and mean serum IL-18level increased in patients as the pathologic stage progressed. Theexpression of IL-18 protein in LSCC tissue specimens was significantlylower compared with healthy volunteers (P< 0.05) and correlated withworse prognosis.Conclusions: In patients with LSCC, increasing IL-18 levelcorrelated with tumor growth and progression. Tissue IL-18 level mightcorrelate with a certain depth of invasion and might be useful tumormarkers in patients with LSCC.