Clinical implications of the interleukin 27 serum level in breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Interleukin 27 (IL-27), belonging to the IL-12 family, exerts a critical role in immune regulation of infection, autoimmunity, and tumor. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of IL-27 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in breast cancer.


METHODS
The serum levels of IL-27 and VEGF in 150 patients with breast cancer and 90 control subjects were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 were measured by immunohistochemistry. Clinical stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, grade, and histological type were also recorded.


RESULTS
The serum levels of IL-27 and VEGF were significantly greater in breast cancer patients than in the control group. In addition, there was a significant correlation between IL-27 and VEGF, and serum IL-27 and VEGF levels were associated with the clinical stage of breast cancer. Moreover, the serum levels of IL-27 were especially elevated in breast cancer patients who were estrogen receptor-positive and progesterone receptor-positive. Furthermore, the serum levels of IL-27 and VEGF decreased after patients with breast cancer had modified radical mastectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Interleukin 27 may be a new prognostic biomarker of breast cancer and a promising target to limit both angiogenesis and tumor growth.
From the Departments of *Breast Surgery, †Hepatobilliary Surgery, and ‡Oncology Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Dapeng
D
Lu
Xiangyu
X
Zhou
Lutian
L
Yao
Caigang
C
Liu
Feng
F
Jin
Yunfei
Y
Wu
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D007378:Interleukins; C464565:MYDGF protein, human; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A