Evaluation of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in Malignant Melanoma Diagnostics

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of four interleukins (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) for melanoma detection and correlate these interleukins with sentinel node metastasis positivity. Patients and Methods: A group of 236 persons was assessed: 175 patients with melanomas and 61 healthy persons. Melanoma patients were divided to four groups according to Breslow score. We determined IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in each plasma sample. Interleukin plasma levels were assayed using a Human Cytokine Milliplex Map kit. Measurements were performed using the Bio-Plex MAGPIX Multiplex Reader. Plasma samples were collected prior to surgery or any other form of treatment. All melanoma diagnoses were histologically verified. Results: We compared interleukin plasma levels in the healthy group and plasma levels in each Breslow score stage. In the first Breslow score stage, IL-2 (p< 0.0001), IL-6 (p= 0.0004) and IL-10 (p< 0.0001) were positive. In the second Breslow score, stage IL-2 (p< 0.0001), IL-6 (p< 0.0001), IL-8 (p= 0.0017) and IL-10 (p< 0.0001) were positive. By comparing the group of positive and negative sentinel node metastasis, we observed a statistically significant difference in two interleukins: The median of IL-2 levels in the negative group was 5.88 pg/ml compared to 32.57 pg/ml in the positive group (p= 0.0005). The median of IL-6 levels in the negative group was 4.80 pg/ml compared to 32.02 pg/ml in the positive group (p= 0.0048). Conclusion: Interleukins IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 are promising biomarkers of early-stage melanoma. IL-2 and IL-6 appear to be prognostic biomarkers.