Zhang Yaping, Qi Qiufeng, Zhu Ming, Peng Yun, Bao Yanqing, Liu Jun, Bi Yanzhi, Xiao Min, Chi Shaohua, Liu Yongping
Clinical Oncology Laboratory, Changzhou Tumor Hospital, Changzhou, 213002, Jiangsu, China.
Department of Radiotherapy, Changzhou Tumor Hospital, Changzhou, 213002, Jiangsu, China.
Discov Oncol. 2025 Jan 23;16(1):80. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-01823-w.
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has a poor prognosis, with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) being a key treatment method. This study focused on circulating cytokines as potential predictors of treatment response and prognosis in patients with ESCC.
Serum samples were collected from 36 ESCC patients, and 12 different cytokines were quantified using a multiplex immunofluorescence assay. We used non-parametric Wilcoxon unpaired rank tests to examine the relationship between cytokine concentrations and clinical outcomes. The duration of progression-free survival was assessed through imaging studies and telephone follow-ups. Kaplan-Meier survival plots, analyzed with the log-rank test, were utilized to depict survival trends.
Pre-treatment serum IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in patients with lymphoid metastases (p = 0.036). Lower initial levels of IL-8 and IL-1β were observed in patients with partial response group compared to those with stable disease (p = 0.002, p = 0.01). Elevated baseline levels of IL-8 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were correlated with a poorer prognosis. Higher levels of IL-5 and IFN-γ levels following therapy were associated with worse outcomes.
Our findings indicate that IL-8, IL-1β, IL-5, and IFN-γ may serve as potential biomarkers for treatment efficacy and prognosis in ESCC. Patients with low levels of IL-8 and IL-1β demonstrate a favorable response to CRT. Elevated serum levels of IL-8, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IL-5 may predict poorer clinical outcomes.
食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）预后较差，放化疗（CRT）是关键的治疗方法。本研究聚焦于循环细胞因子作为ESCC患者治疗反应和预后的潜在预测指标。
收集36例ESCC患者的血清样本，采用多重免疫荧光测定法定量12种不同的细胞因子。我们使用非参数Wilcoxon非配对秩和检验来检查细胞因子浓度与临床结局之间的关系。通过影像学研究和电话随访评估无进展生存期。利用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线并通过对数秩检验进行分析，以描绘生存趋势。
有淋巴转移的患者治疗前血清白细胞介素-8（IL-8）水平显著升高（p = 0.036）。与疾病稳定的患者相比，部分缓解组患者的IL-8和白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）初始水平较低（p = 0.002，p = 0.01）。IL-8和干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）基线水平升高与较差的预后相关。治疗后较高水平的IL-5和IFN-γ与更差的结局相关。
我们的研究结果表明，IL-8、IL-1β、IL-5和IFN-γ可能作为ESCC治疗疗效和预后的潜在生物标志物。IL-8和IL-1β水平低的患者对CRT反应良好。血清中IL-8、IL-1β、IFN-γ和IL-5水平升高可能预示临床结局较差。
