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Regulatory T Cells, IL10 and IL6 in HCV Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE

Research Authors
Ehsan A Hassan1, Entsar H. Ahmed1, Amany M Nafee1, Nourhan El-Gafary 2 Helal F. Hetta1,3, Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar1 1Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt, 2Al - Raghy Hospital for Liver, Assiut Univer
Research Date
Research Journal
Egyptian journal of immunology
Research Vol
26
Research Year
2019
Research Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver. Tumors can recruit and promote the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to suppress antitumor immune responses for survival and progression. Furthermore, there is a strong evidence for the potential roles of cytokines in promoting HCC carcinogenesis and progression. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of Treg cells and serum levels of IL6 and IL10 before and after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). We carried out a cross-sectional study at Assiut University hospitals that included 34 HCC patients and 10 matched apparently healthy controls. Peripheral Treg frequency was evaluated by Flow cytometry. IL6 and IL10 serum levels were evaluated by ELISA before and after TACE. HCC patients had a significantly higher level of IL6 and IL10 when compared to the control group (P=0.0002, P<0.0001), respectively. However, after treatment, there was an elevation in the levels of IL6 and IL10 followed by a decrease to the baseline levels. Patients with large tumors (≥5 cm) showed higher levels of both IL 6 and IL 10 than those with smaller tumors. Moreover, HCC patients showed a higher frequency of Treg cells in comparison to the controls (P=0.002). No significant correlation was observed between the frequency of Treg cells and IL10 before and after treatment (r=0.38, P=0.30). In conclusion, HCC patients have significantly higher levels of IL 6, IL 10 and a higher percentage of Tregs than control individuals. Treg levels are altered after chemoembolization. IL 6 have a potential in reflecting the patient's condition after treatment, thus, can help in monitoring therapy.