Interleukin 16 expression changes in association with ovarian malignant transformation

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;210(3):272.e1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.12.041. Epub 2013 Dec 28.

Abstract

Objective: Long-term unresolved inflammation has been suggested as a risk factor for the development of various malignancies. The goal of this study was to examine whether the expression of interleukin (IL)-16, a proinflammatory cytokine, changes in association with ovarian cancer (OVCA) development.

Study design: In an exploratory study, changes in IL-16 expression in association with OVCA development and progression were determined using ovarian tissues and serum samples from healthy subjects (n = 10) and patients with benign (n = 10) and malignant ovarian tumors at early (n = 8) and late (n = 20) stages. In the prospective study, laying hens, a preclinical model of spontaneous OVCA, were monitored (n = 200) for 45 weeks with serum samples collected at 15-week interval. Changes in serum levels of IL-16 relative to OVCA development were examined.

Results: The frequency of IL-16-expressing cells increased significantly in patients with OVCA (P < .001) compared to healthy subjects and patients with benign ovarian tumors. The concentration of serum IL-16 was higher in patients with benign tumors (P < .05) than in healthy subjects and increased further in patients with early-stage (P < .05) and late-stage (P < .03) OVCA. Increase in tissue expression and serum levels of IL-16 in patients with early and late stages of OVCA were positively correlated with the increase in ovarian tumor-associated microvessels. Prospective monitoring showed that serum levels of IL-16 increase significantly (P < .002) even before ovarian tumors become grossly detectable in hens.

Conclusion: This study showed that tissue expression and serum levels of IL-16 increase in association with malignant ovarian tumor development and progression.

Keywords: interleukin 16; laying hen model; malignant transformation; ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Chickens
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-16 / blood
  • Interleukin-16 / genetics
  • Interleukin-16 / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovary / metabolism*
  • Ovary / pathology

Substances

  • Interleukin-16