Cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, GM-CSF and TNF alpha in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and their relationship to treatment with paclitaxel

In vitro work suggests that cytokines may be important modulators of the cy totoxic effects of paclitaxel and subsequent drug resistance. This has been investigated in vivo in patients with ovarian cancer by ELISA. There was c onsistently elevated expression of IL-6 and IL-8 but not MCP-1, IL-1 beta, IL-2, GM-CSF or TNF alpha. Peritoneal fluid concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 an d MCP-1 were two to three logs greater than serum concentrations. Elevated concentrations of IL-6 correlated with a poor final outcome (P = 0.039), an d increased IL-6 and IL-8 correlated with a poor initial response to chemot herapy (P = 0.041 and P = 0.041, respectively). There was a relatively clea r pattern of change in all three cytokines. In serum, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 decreased with the administration of steroids prior to paclitaxel, and incr eased in the 24 h after paclitaxel. Postoperative drainage fluid was relati vely acellular, preventing flow-cytometric analysis of epithelial cells for apoptosis, but suggested activation of T cells by paclitaxel. IL-6 and IL- 8 appear to be of prognostic importance in epithelial ovarian cancer. Treat ment with paclitaxel is associated with an increase in expression of a limi ted number of cytokines in patients with ovarian cancer, notably IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1.