Interleukin 16 expression changes in association with ovarian malignant transformation

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2014-03, Vol.210 (3), p.272.e1-272.e10
• Main Authors: Yellapa, Aparna, MS, Bitterman, Pincas, MD, Sharma, Sameer, MD, Guirguis, Alfred S., MD, Bahr, Janice M., PhD, Basu, Sanjib, PhD, Abramowicz, Jacques S., MD, Barua, Animesh, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - metabolism; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - pathology; Chickens; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; interleukin 16; Interleukin-16 - blood; Interleukin-16 - genetics; Interleukin-16 - metabolism; laying hen model; malignant transformation; Middle Aged; Obstetrics and Gynecology; ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - genetics; Ovarian Neoplasms - metabolism; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Ovary - metabolism; Ovary - pathology
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.12.041

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.