Analysis of the expression of interleukins, interferon β, and nuclear factor-κ B in prostate cancer and their relationship with biochemical recurrence

There are accumulating epidemiological, experimental, and genetic data supporting that prostate inflammation may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis, and several inflammatory-related molecules have been linked to tumorigenesis and prognosis in several tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate tumor expression of inflammatory-related factors in prostate carcinomas and their possible relationship with biochemical recurrence (elevation of prostate-specific antigen serum levels). An immunohistochemical study was conducted using tissue microarrays and specific antibodies against interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, interferon β (IFNβ), and nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB). Determinations in cancer specimens from 118 patients with primary prostate cancer (78 without and 40 with recurrence during the follow-up period) were performed. Immunostaining for all the studied proteins was localized both in tumor cells and in stromal cells in the majority of tumors. High-score values for IL-1β or low-score values for IFNβ were significantly associated with biochemical recurrence. The analysis defined a score value of 160 for IL-1β and of 170 for IFNβ as the optimal cutoff points that identified 32.7% and 73.2% of patients, respectively, having high probability of biochemical recurrence. Multivariate analysis according to a Cox model indicated that the cutoff point 170 for IFNβ (P=0.035) was an independent factor associated with biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer. Both IL-1β and IFNβ may be new biomarkers to distinguish high-risk/low-risk patients with prostate cancer, and to select appropriate therapeutic approaches.