Serum interleukin 8 level is linked to the inflammatory and cardiometabolic indicators in survivors of breast cancer

Abstract

Serum interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels have been shown to increase in post-relapse survivors of breast cancer, and its levels are linked with a poor prognosis and progression of breast tumours. This study aims to assess serum IL-8 levels and the components of metabolic syndrome in breast cancer survivors, taking into consideration their menopausal status. This observational study was carried in Nanakali Hospital in Erbil, Kurdistan. A total of 120 women with a history of breast cancer were enrolled and divided into premenopausal (group I, n=30) and postmenopausal (group II, n=90) groups. Cardiometabolic determinants including body mass index, blood pressure, fasting serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured. Markers that related to breast cancer, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and IL-8, were determined. Group II patients had significantly higher levels of atherogenic lipids than group I patients. The mean levels of hs-CRP and IL-8 were significantly higher in group II {3.040mg/l [standard deviation (SD) ±0.762] and 424.7pg/ml (SD ±87.3pg/ml), respectively} than in group I [2.435mg/l (SD ±0.891) and 354.6pg/ml (SD ±109.4), respectively] patients. We conclude that postmenopausal women with breast cancer are at a significant risk of dyslipidaemia and have higher levels of inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic factors than premenopausal women.