T-helper Type 1 and 2 Cytokine Levels in Patients with Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors

• Main Authors: Bijan Khademi, Marziyeh Tajvarpour, Zahra Mojtahedi, Mohammad Reza Haghshenas, Nasrollah Erfani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2016-03-01
• Series: Iranian Journal of Immunology
• Online Access: http://iji.sums.ac.ir/article_16723_c598b1cd81b4181b76617fb24f8ecdaa.pdf

<b>Background</b>: Salivary gland tumors are among malignancies that have high recurrence rate. Immune responses in salivary gland tumors have not been well elucidated. T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines have been reported to play a role in the outcome of head and neck cancers. <br/><b>Objective</b>: To evaluate the serum levels of interferon gamma (IFN- γ), as the hallmark of Th1 cytokines, and interleukin-4 (IL-4), as the hallmark of Th2 cytokines, in patients with benign and malignant salivary gland tumors in comparison with healthy controls. <br/><b>Methods</b>: Fifty patients with benign and 14 patients with malignant salivary gland tumors, as well as 23 healthy individuals were recruited. Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were measured using ELISA method. Nonparametric tests were used for data analysis. <br/><b>Results</b>: Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were found not to be significantly different in patients compared to the control group (0.68 ± 0.29 vs. 1.03 ± 0.57 pg/ml, p=0.58 for IFN-γ, 4.57 ± 1.57 vs. 4.41 ± 1.31 pg/ml, p=0.28 for IL-4). IFN-γ and IL-4 serum levels were also not significantly different between patients with benign and malignant salivary gland tumors (p=0.54 and p=0.86, respectively). <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: The systemic levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ seem not to be associated with salivary gland tumor in our study. Investigation of other cytokines produced by Th1 and Th2 cells are warranted.