Serum cytokine profiles in patients with prostate carcinoma

It has been suggested that various cytokines are associated with the pathophysiology of prostate carcinoma (Pca). We profiled ten cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α) in the serum levels of 11 patients with organ-confined Pca, 15 with advanced Pca without cachexia, 8 with advanced Pca with cachexia (cachexia group) and 5 healthy males as controls. Cytokines were measured using a highly sensitive fluorescence microsphere system. Compared to the control group, serum levels of all cytokines were significantly higher in the cachexia group, and six cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ) were significantly higher in the group with advanced Pca without cachexia. In the group with organ-confined Pca, only IL-1β and IL-12 levels were significantly higher compared to the control group. In the cachexia group, levels of all cytokines apart from TNF-α were significantly higher compared to the group with organ-confined Pca, and levels of four cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-8 and IL-10) were significantly higher compared to the group with advanced Pca without cachexia. These results indicate that i) an aberrance imbalance of cytokine production was associated with the pathophysiology of Pca and cachexia, ii) cytokine profiles in Pca patients were distinct by disease stage, and iii) IL-1β and IL-12 may be applicable as early diagnostic indicators.