Profile of Cytokines (IL-1β, TNF- α and IL-10) in Eyelid Tumors

Introduction: Tissue cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10) have been utilized for screening, diagnosis, prognostication and treatment of tumors. The current study, therefore, purports to measure the levels of common cancer associated cytokines in histopathologically confirmed tissue samples of eyelid tumors. The compilation of this information is planned with a view to facilitate further studies which will enable the use of specific cytokines for screening, diagnosis, prognostication and treatment of these tumors. Material and Method: This is a prospective observational cross-sectional case-control study conducted on all immunocompetent cases of eyelid neoplasia that underwent surgical treatment over a one year period. Tissue from other non-inflammatory, non- neoplastic eyelid disorders were recruited as controls. Commercially available “Ready-SET-Go! ELISA Kit” was used to determine the levels of the cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10) in pg/ml. Results were expressed as the mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software, version 17.0 employing ‘Chi square test', ‘unpaired t-test' and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: On comparing the mean cytokine levels of the two groups with surgically excised tissue of 25 patients of eyelid neoplasia of either sex as cases and 26 age and sex matched tissue samples as controls, t-test revealed significantly different and higher level of IL- 1β (16.71 ± 2.75 vs. 14.60 ± 3.71, t=2.3, p=0.025), TNF-α (19.11 ± 3.2 vs. 16.73 ± 4.44, t=2.18, p=0.033) and IL-10 (24.86 ± 5.94 vs. 21.60 ± 4.60, t=2.19, p=0.032) in cases as compared to controls. Discussion: The mean cytokine levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10 were raised in cases by 12.62%, 12.45% and 13.11% respectively (p<0.05) in comparison to controls. Conclusion: Significantly higher levels of cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 are present in the tissues of eyelid neoplasia. This represents a higher association with tumorigenesis. Development of anti-cytokine molecules, cytokine receptor agonists and antagonists for modifying the disease processes and their application to provide treatment in eyelid tumors is a potential area for research in eyelid tumors.