Аnalysis of the cytokine profile of blood serum and tumor supernatants in breast cancer

Background. A crucial role in the development of cancer is played by the tumor microenvironment (TM) – a microenvironment that is formed as a result of the interaction between the tumor tissue and macroorganism cells. The concentration of TM cytokines in the blood varies depending on the activity of the tumor and the presence of a metastatic process. It is advisable to study the existing mediator imbalance of TM, its characteristic features in the process of tumor development for the diagnosis and prognosis of the tumor process.

The aim. To identify markers of tumor progression in the study of tissue and serum cytokines in women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Materials and methods. The object of the study is blood serum cytokines and tumor supernatants (MCP-1, VEGF, TNF-α, IFN-γ, TGF-β1, G-CSF, GM-CSF). The study involved 80 patients with breast cancer aged 50–69 years and 26 practically healthy women aged 41 to 62 years. A standard examination of women was conducted; a cytokine profile study was conducted before the appointment of therapy. To study the cytokine profile at the tissue level, tumor biopsies (n = 30) and biopsies of unchanged breast tissue (n = 6) were incubated to determine the production of MCP-1, VEGF, TNF-α, IFN-γ, TGF-β1, G-CSF, GM-CSF.

Results. There was a moderate positive correlation between the stage of the disease and the level of TGF-β1, MCP-1 blood serum, a weak one – with G-CSF. In the incubated tumor tissue, a high positive correlation of cytokines on the stage of the disease is observed in growth factors: VEGF (R = 0.79; p > 0.05) and TGF-β1 (R = 0.61; p > 0.05).

Conclusion. The study revealed the characteristic features of the cytokine profile of blood serum and tumor tissue in breast cancer at local and widespread stages. The revealed differences in the level of cytokines should be used as additional diagnostic indicators of the degree of activity and prevalence of the tumor process.

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