OBJECTIVE

Chronic inflammation along with concomitant oxidative stress contributes to an increased risk of cancer development. The aim of this study was to analyze selected cytokines and antioxidant enzymes in patients with ovarian and endometrial cancers, taking into account the stage of oncological treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study sample included 52 female patients with advanced endometrial cancer (n = 26.50%) and ovarian cancer (n = 26.50%), undergoing chemotherapy. Long-term observation at four time points was used in the subjects. Each of the women was blood sampled several times (before surgery, and then before the first, third, and sixth cycle of chemotherapy) in order to determine serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes.

RESULTS

The levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1α, IL-4 differed significantly depending on the stage of therapy and the type of cancer. The serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in patients with ovarian cancer were statistically significantly higher than those observed in patients with endometrial cancer. The activity of the tested antioxidant enzymes varied depending on the chemotherapy cycle. Their highest activity in most cases was observed before the third cycle of chemotherapy, and it decreased before the sixth cycle, irrespective of the type of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

In the studied group of patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer, the applied chemotherapy significantly changed the concentration and activity of some interleukins and antioxidant enzymes. The type of tumor determined the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 before the treatment. Evaluation of inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress in women with cancer of the reproductive organ may help to understand physiological changes resulting from the applied therapy.