title: The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-23 is elevated in lung cancer, particularly small cell type.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 play roles in inflammation and autoimmunity. The function of the IL-17/IL-23 pathway has not been completely evaluated in cancer patients. We aimed to investigate serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels and their relationship with clinicopathological and biochemical parameters in lung cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five lung cancer patients and 46 healthy volunteers were included in the study. IL-17 and IL-23 measurements were made with the ELISA method. The ages of patients (53-84 years) and healthy subjects (42-82 years) were similar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IL-23 levels were higher in lung cancer patients than in healthy subjects (491.27 ±1263.38 pg/ml vs. 240.51 ±233.18 pg/ml; p = 0.032). IL-23 values were higher in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients than in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (1325.30 ±2478.06 pg/ml vs. 229.15 ±103.22 pg/ml; p = 0.043). Serum IL-17 levels were lower in the patients, but the difference was not statistically significant (135.94 ±52.36 pg/ml vs. 171.33 ±133.51 pg/ml; p = 0.124). Presence of comorbid disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension or chronic obstructive lung disease) did not have any effect on the levels of IL-17 or IL-23. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate values were positively correlated with cytokine levels, but serum albumin levels were negatively correlated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum IL-23 levels are elevated in lung cancer patients, particularly those with SCLC. IL-17 and IL-23 values are correlated with inflammatory markers in the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kayseri Military Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Caner
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cam
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karagoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muftuoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oguz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bigi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Emirzeoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alpaslan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozgun
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tolga
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tuncel
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, GATA Haydarpasa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cihan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Top
keywords: IL-17; IL-23; Th17 cells; lung cancer