ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to examine the predictability of pre-treatment serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α for determining the outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) assigned for chemoradiotherapy. A total of 35 patients with NPC were subjected to clinical examination and evaluation of performance status using Karnofsky scoring. Nasopharyngoscopy was performed for evaluation and to obtain a biopsy. Blood samples were obtained pre- and post-treatment for polymerase chain reaction quantitative estimation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA plasma load and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for estimation of serum cytokines. All patients received chemoradiotherapy and were followed-up for 2 years. Cervical lymphadenopathy and recurrent attacks of epistaxis are the most common presenting symptoms. Treatment significantly decreased pre-treatment plasma EBV DNA load and serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased serum IL-1ß levels. Clinical staging and EBV DNA plasma load revealed positively significant correlation with pre-treatment serum levels of both IL-6 and TNF-α, while revealed negative significant correlation with serum IL-1ß levels. The 2-year survival rate was negatively significantly correlated with pre-treatment levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, and EBV DNA viral load, while it was positively significantly correlated with pre-treatment performance scores and serum IL-1ß levels. Statistical analyses defined high pre-treatment serum IL-6 levels as a significant specific predictor for high mortality rate. It was demonstrated that NPC was associated with high pre-treatment plasma EBV DNA load and serum cytokines, and chemoradiotherapy significantly reduced these high levels. High pre-treatment serum IL-6 level was a significant specific predictor for high mortality rate. Increased post-treatment serum levels of IL-1ß indicated good therapeutic response and most probably a high survival rate.
ABSTRACT
Growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) belongs to a family of vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins. Plasma levels of Gas6 are associated to altered glucose tolerance. This study aimed at determining whether c.843+7G>A Gas6 polymorphism is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study included 50 patients with type 2 diabetes and 40 matched controls. The Gas6 protein was measured in serum using ELISA and Gas6 gene polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. The GG genotype was the most prevalent in the diabetic patient. The frequency of A allele in the diabetic group was lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of Gas6 were lower among type 2 diabetes patients than controls (P < 0.001). Since the AA genotype was expressed at a lower frequency in type2 diabetes patients compared to controls, a protective role for this Gas6 variant in type 2 diabetic patients may be concluded.
