MPO and Cytokines in the Serum of Cancer Patients in the Context of Candida Colonization and Infection

Abstract

This study investigated the immunological factors, such as neutrophils number, the level of myeloperoxidase and IL-12, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, that additionally might correlate with increased susceptibility to Candida infections in cancer patients. A total of 105 cancer patients were evaluated. Patients were examined twice for Candida colonization and presence of Candida antigen and DNA in bloodstream. Serum concentrations of MPO and selected cytokines were quantified by ELISA. The values for myeloperoxidase were decreased in Candida-colonized as well as deep-infected cancer patients groups, compared to healthy persons. In the group of patients suspected of deep candidiasis, we observed significantly elevated level of IFN-γ compared to control. In the group of Candida-colonized patients, the concentrations of IL-12, TNF- α and IFN-γ were significantly heightened when compared to control.MPO deficiency seems to be one of the important risk factor for deep candidiasis independently of the neutrophil count. The disturbances in cytokines levels in cancer patients group can be connected with underlying cancer disease, its treatment as well as Candida infection. The decreased level of TNF-α, in particular may be connected with Candida invasion.