Following Chemotherapy: Serum Cytokine (Tumor Necrosis FactorInterleukin-2 Interleukin-11) Immunoglobulin Complement Vascular EndothelialGrowth Factor Levels and the Systemic Symptoms like Capillary LeakSyndrome

摘要

Several problems such as myalgia, arthralgia, fever, dyspnea, generalized edema, and pleural effusion can occur in cancer patients following the chemotherapy, especially at the first cycle of the first chemotherapy treatment. Although it is assumed that some cytokines are associated with the development of these symptoms and signs, their pathophysiology has not been discovered completely yet. They are usually mild, but they may rarely progress to the severe stage of “Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome” with a high mortality rate. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-11 (IL-11), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and these symptoms and signs. A total of 44 cancer patients who had neither heart, lung, liver, renal, or thyroid disease were recruited into this study. Their symptoms and signs were examined and questioned before the first cycle of the first chemotherapy treatment and the 24 h after this chemotherapy. All participant’s serum samples were taken, and the VEGF, TNF, IL-2, and IL-11 levels were studied. There was no association between the chemotherapeutic drugs, and the symptoms and signs such as edema, dyspnea, coughing, and flu-like symptoms. There was a significantdecrease in IL-11 levels in the other treatment group compared with the groupreceiving paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine in the first dayfollowing chemotherapy (P = .006). However, no relation wasobserved between the symptoms and signs, the response to the chemotherapy, andthe serum levels of VEGF, TNF, IL-2, and IL-11. These symptoms andlife-threatening syndrome have been a current topic between the clinicians.Although some drugs and mediators are accused, its pathophysiology has not beendiscovered completely yet. In this study, we could not detect any associationbetween the symptoms, signs, and the cytokine levels following thechemotherapy.