Predictive values of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 for radiation pneumonitis

Background: To inves gate the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 in the plasma of pa ents with lung cancer who received radia on therapy (RT), and to analyze the correla on between these cytokines and radia on pneumoni s (RP). Materials and Methods: Pa ents with lung cancer who received 3DCRT in our hospital were prospec vely evaluated. Circula ng cytokine levels were measured with ELISA before RT and at the end of RT. Regular follow-up was undertaken 3 months a1er RT. Sta s cal analysis was applied to determine the relevance of cytokines to radia on-induced lung injury. Results: Of 104 pa ents, 29 (27.9%) developed RP. The levels of TNF-α and IL -6 levels in the plasma a1er RT were significantly higher than before RT (p<0.05), whereas IL -10 levels were significantly lower a1er RT than before RT (p<0.05). Before RT, TNF-α levels were higher in RP group (p<0.05),but there were no differences in TNF-α levels a1er RT. No associa on was observed between IL-6 and IL-10 levels and the risk of RP. Univariate analysis showed that baseline pulmonary func on, smoking history, histopathology, lung volume receiving ≥20 Gy (V20), Mean lung dose (MLD) and total radia on dose were related to RP, but only MLD was an independent risk factor for RP in lung cancer pa ents (OR>1). Conclusion: TNF-α levels in plasma were closely related to RP but s ll cannot be used as predictors for RP.