RESUMEN
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- [gamma]], 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-[gamma] and IL-4 were measured using ELISA method. Nonparametric tests were used for data analysis
Results: serum levels of IFN-[gamma] and IL-4 were found not to be significantly different in patients compared to the control group [0.68 +/- 0.29 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.57 pg/ml, p=0.58 for IFN-[gamma], 4.57 +/- 1.57 vs. 4.41 +/- 1.31 pg/ml, p=0.28 for IL-4]. IFN-[gamma] 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]
Conclusion: the systemic levels of IL-4 and IFN-[gamma] seem not to be associated with salivary gland tumor in our study. Investigation of other cytokines produced by Th1 and Th2 cells are warranted