Abstract
BackgroundChronic prostatic inflammation, caused by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), has been proposed to influence the risk of prostate cancer development. In vitro studies have demonstrated the capacity of C. acnes to induce secretion of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) by prostate epithelial cells. Both these inflammatory mediators have been implicated in prostate cancer pathophysiology. In this cohort study, we aimed to investigate the influence of prostatic C. acnes on serum levels of IL6 and CXCL8.MethodsWe recruited 99 prostate cancer patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at Örebro University Hospital. The cultivation of pre-operatively obtained prostate biopsies identified C. acnes in 60 of the 99 patients. Levels of IL6 and CXCL8 in pre-operative serum samples were analyzed using ELISA, and concentrations were compared between prostate cancer patients with and without prostatic C. acnes infection using standard statistical methods.ResultsNo statistical differences were observed in serum levels of IL6 and CXCL8 between subjects with and without prostatic C. acnes infection.ConclusionsOur results indicate that prostatic C. acnes infection may give rise to low-grade inflammation with little effect on systemic levels of IL6 and CXCL8.
Highlights
Inflammation is recognized as a critical component of tumor progression and may be involved in the development of several types of cancer [1]
In order to evaluate whether prostatic C. acnes infection activates a systemic inflammatory response, or rather contributes to a low-grade localized inflammation of the prostate, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether prostatic C. acnes infections influence serum levels of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) in prostate cancer patients
Prostate specific antigen (PSA), pT-stage, ultra-sound estimation of prostate volume, and frequency of positive surgical margins did not differ between patients positive or negative for prostatic C. acnes infection (Table 1)
Summary
Inflammation is recognized as a critical component of tumor progression and may be involved in the development of several types of cancer [1]. The commonly observed prostatic inflammation may be caused by different etiological factors, including infectious agents such as bacteria. In vitro studies have demonstrated the capacity of C. acnes to induce secretion of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) by prostate epithelial cells. Both these inflammatory mediators have been implicated in prostate cancer pathophysiology. In this cohort study, we aimed to investigate the influence of prostatic C. acnes on serum levels of IL6 and CXCL8
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