title: Serum IL10 and circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) regulatory T cell numbers as predictors of clinical outcome and survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) commonly have an imbalance in T helper (Th)1/Th2-type cytokines and elevated levels of CD4(+) CD25(high) regulatory T cells (Treg). Here, we investigated the association of circulating interleukin (IL)10, IL12, and Treg-cells with clinical outcome in patients with HNSCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients' pretreatment (n = 107) and 4 to 6 weeks posttreatment (n = 43), and in nontumor controls (n = 40). Treg-cell levels were determined by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL10 detectability was significantly higher in patients than controls (p = .001). Pretreatment IL10 levels in all anatomical subsites, except the oral cavity, were significantly elevated in stages III/IV, N+ patients, and in T3/4-tumors (p = .005, .037, and .001, respectively). The detectability of IL10 significantly correlated with poorer survival after a maximum follow-up of 36 months. Treg-cell levels did not correlate with any clinical parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL10 is a potential independent factor in predicting a poor clinical outcome in newly presenting tumors of laryngeal and pharyngeal origin. The role of circulating Treg-cells as predictors of clinical outcome requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biomedical Research, Division of Cancer, Hull York Medical School, The University of Hull, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Alhamarneh
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Agada
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greenman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D016753:Interleukin-10