Influence of IL-1 RA expression in ascites on overall survival (OS) of advanced ovarian cancer (OC) patients (pts)

Abstract

9643 Background: Interleukin-1β (IL-1) and IL-1 RA are known to be critically involved in ovarian carcinogenesis. There are limited data on the expression of IL-1 β and RA in ascites in pts with OC. The aim of this study was to analyse the prognostic value of the expression of IL-1 β and RA in ascites of patients with OC. Methods: In a prospective study from 2001 to 2003, 33 pts with primary and 20 with recurrent OC and 50 women with benign gynaecological diseases as a control group (CG) from Charite, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Berlin were enrolled. IL-1 β and RA levels in ascites were analysed by ELISA technique. Results: The median age of the pts was 55.6 years (range 19–80) in the OC group and 40 years (range, 15–89) in CG. The median follow-up period was 26 (range, 1–42) months. The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-1 RA in ascites were significantly increased in pts with OC in comparison to CG, for both cytokines (p<0.0001). The IL-1β level in ascites correlated significantly with the histological grading (p=0.038). IL-1 RA level in ascites was correlated with FIGOstage (p=0.049). Using Kaplan-Meier method and long-rank test pts with low level of IL-1 RA in ascites was associated with a longer median OS (34.6 vs. 17 months, p=0.01) and progression free survival (PFS): 24.6 vs.12.8 months(p=0.008) in comparison with pts with high level of IL-1 RA in ascites. Application of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed IL-1 RA expression in ascites to be an independent prognostic factor for OS (p=0.04). Conclusions: The data suggest that lower expression of IL-1 RA in ascites correlated significant with improved clinical outcome in pts with OC. IL-1 RA may have important role in the tumorgenesis of OC and lead prognostic information. No significant financial relationships to disclose.