Determination of Interleukin-4, -5, -6, -8 and -13 in Serum of Patients with Breast Cancer Before Treatment and its Correlation to Circulating Tumor Cells.

Abstract

Th2 cytokines are significantly modified in patients who are CTC-negative and progesterone receptor-positive. We suppose that an increase of IL-4 depends on hormone receptor status. In literature, a correlation between IL-4 and resistance to apoptosis is described. We suspect that IL-4 is responsible for the poor outcome of these cases.