Inflammation and breast cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Inflammation can contribute to the development and progression of cancer. The aim of this study was to measure circulating cytokines (IL17, IL6, IL22, IL23 and TNF¿) and their correlation with breast cancer prognostic factors.Serum IL6 levels were significantly higher in advanced stages (p=0.013), especially in metastatic (p=0.001) and relapsed (p=0.010) patients.High levels of TNF¿ were also significantly associated with advanced stages (III and IV) (p = 0.019) and IL22 with high SBR grade (p = 0.028).IL23 was significantly increased in cases of lymph node involvement (p = 0.042) and in young people under 35 (p = 0.034).Finally, IL17 levels were significantly higher in relapsed patients (p = 0.018)Thus, the analysis of serum levels of inflammatory cytokines can help identify patients with a poor prognosis who could benefit from more intensive treatment.