Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients: rise in interleukin 6 (IL-6) but not IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, tumor necrosis factor-α, MIP-1-α, and LIF levels.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP-1-α) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in patients with prostate cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty eight patients with prostate cancer received three-dimensional conformal blocking radiation therapy with a linear accelerator. IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-1-α, and LIF levels were measured by the related immunoassay kit 1 day before the beginning of RT and during RT at days 15 and 30.

RESULTS

The mean IL-2 values were elevated before and during the RT in contrast with those of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-1-α, and LIF, which were within the normal range under the same conditions. Regarding markers IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, MIP-1-α, and LIF, comparisons among the three groups (before treatment and 15 and 30 days during RT) did not show significant differences. Although values were within the normal range, there was a significant rise in IL-6 levels at day 15 of RT (p = 0.0049) and a decline at day 30 to levels that were similar to those observed before RT.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 appeared to peak after 15 days of RT before returning to pre-RT levels. In contrast, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, MIP-1-α, and LIF levels were not sensitive to irradiation. The increased levels of IL-6 following RT without the concurrent elevation of other cytokines involved in the acute phase reaction did not suggest a classical inflammatory response to radiation exposure. Further studies should be designed to elucidate the role of IL-6 levels in patients with prostate cancer treated with RT.