title: T-helper Type 1 and 2 Cytokine Levels in Patients with Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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±0.57pg/ml, p=0.58 for IFN-γ, 4.57±1.57vs. 4.41±1.31pg/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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Immunology Group, Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Bijan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khademi
authors.forename: Marziyeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tajvarpour
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mojtahedi
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Haghshenas
authors.forename: Nasrollah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erfani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines