RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Preoperative Plasma Level of IL-10 but not of Proinflammatory Cytokines Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Patients with Gastric Cancer JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 5005 OP 5012 VO 29 IS 12 A1 ANNA SZAFLARSKA A1 ANTONI SZCZEPANIK A1 MACIEJ SIEDLAR A1 ANTONI CZUPRYNA A1 MAREK SIERŻĘGA A1 TADEUSZ POPIELA A1 MAREK ZEMBALA YR 2009 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/29/12/5005.abstract AB There have been many discrepant observations on the serum levels of cytokines in cancer patients and their prognostic value. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their clinical significance in a large group of patients with gastric carcinoma. The levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF α), interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40), IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-10 and soluble TNF receptors I and II sTNF-Rs were investigated in the plasma of 136 consecutive patients with biopsy proven gastric cancer using specific enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA). Survival curves were estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier and the differences in the survival rates were tested by the log-rank test. For multivariate analysis of prognostic factors, the Cox proportional hazard model was used. Proinflammatory cytokines and sTNF-Rs were higher in the whole group of patients in comparison to healthy volunteers. IL-10 was elevated mostly in advanced disease. The increased levels of IL-10 (>10 pg/ml) were associated with significantly poorer survival of patients, while the levels of the other cytokines and sTNF-Rs showed no correlation with prognosis. The increased level of IL-10 is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer.