[Study of immunological indicators in peripheral blood for nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To find reliable diagnostic immunological indicators in peripheral blood for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to evaluate the possibility of cancer screening and early diagnosis of the malignancies in the future.


METHODS
Plasma samples were obtained from 83 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and from 105 patients with benign diseases. Nine cytokines were selected as the candidates for the indicators and their quantity in the plasma samples determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the result of which was analyzed statistically.


RESULTS
Interleukin (IL)-4 level was obviously increased, while IL-6, IL-12, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, interferon (IFN)-gamma levels significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the plasma from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
These cytokins may serve as the indicators in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Cheng
Gang
G
Department of Genetics, Medical School, Sun Yet-Sen University, Guangzhou 510089, China.
Shao
Jian-Yong
JY
Chen
Zhi
Z
Zeng
Rui-Ping
RP
He
Yun-Shao
YS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma