Cytokine expression of transforming growth factor-beta 2 and interleukin-10 in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Comparison of tissue expression and serum levels

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and interleukin 10 (II-10)are cy tokines that have a strong immunosuppressive ability. Their secretion by tu mor cells is able to suppress an immunological response against tumor. Both factors have been shown to enhance tumor growth in glioblastomas and carci noma of the breast. We determined the expression pattern of TGF-beta and II -10 in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) and a possible association with tumor stage and their pre-treatment cytokine serum levels . Cytokine expression in primary tumors and metastases of 21 patients with HNSCC was investigated by immunohistochemistry. To assess the TGF-beta 2 an d II-10 levels in tumor patients before therapy 49 serum specimens were ana lyzed by ELISA. TGF-beta 2 was detected in 95% of all tumor tissues analyze d and II-10 in 79% of all tumors. TGF-beta 2 was localized in tumor cells a nd tumor borders, while II-10 was preferentially found in peritumoral conne ctive tissue. Metastasizing tumors showed elevated pretreatment serum level s for TGF-beta 2 and II-10. There was no correlation between TGF-beta 2 and II-10 expression in tumor tissue and pretreatment serum levels. Our data s how that the majority of HNSCC analyzed express TGF-beta 2 and II-10. A cor relation between pretherapy elevated cytokine serum levels and tumor grade was shown.