Decreased Serum Level of Interleukin-19 in Iranian Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: Interleukin-19, a member of the interleukin-10 family of cytokines, contributes to breast cancer pathogenesis. High interleukin-19 expression in breast tumor tissues is associated with poor clinical outcome. This study aimed to assess the changes in serum level of interleukin-19 in breast cancer patients in comparison with normal women and its association with the clinicopathological parameters of this disease. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze serum levels of interleukin-19 in 116 women with breast cancer before chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and in 60 healthy age-matched women without any acute or chronic diseases or family history of cancer. Results: There were significantly lower serum interleukin-19 levels in breast cancer patients (median: 27.3 pg/ml; range: 10.5-2443.6 pg/ml) compared to healthy controls (median: 35.1 pg/ml; range: 10.9-13676.6 pg/ml; P