Correlation between melatonin concentration and cytokines in cervical mucus in positive samples for the presence of human papillomavirus

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main causative agent of cervical cancer, characterized by neoplastic lesions in the cervix. Based on the morphology of the cells of the uterine cervix, the findings are classified as negative intraepithelial lesions for malignancies, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance without excluding HSILs (ASCs-H). The progression of neoplastic lesions is related to the cervix's microenvironmental inflammatory process and mediated by the expression and stimulation of cytokines. Cervical mucus is a viscous liquid secretion composed of proteins, inorganic components, pro-and anti-inflammatory agents, and an important protective barrier. This study aimed to quantify and correlate cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 and Melatonin in cervical mucus. According to the results, a decrease in MLT was observed in LSIL, HSI, and ASC-H groups than in the NILM group. The cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 showed greater expression in the LSIL and HSIL groups than the NILM group. HSIL group showed a negative correlation between the MLT and IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations. In the ASC-US group, IL8 level was positively correlated to MLT levels. We suggest that IL-6, IL-8, and MLT levels in HSIL groups are decisive for the progression of neoplastic lesions in HPV infections. New cervical cancer treatment strategies may include cytokine and melatonin control targets for effective immunotherapy.