Clinical value of serum interleukin-18 and nitric oxide activities in patients with prostate cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to estimate the clinical value of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) and nitric oxide (NO) activities in patients with prostate cancer. Methods The 50 patients with prostate cancer and 25 control subjects were measured in serum IL-18 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nitrate + nitrite level by an index of NO generation. Results Serum IL-18 and nitrate + nitrite levels were significantly higher in patients with prostate cancer when compared to the control subjects ( P < 0.05). Serum IL-18 level was significantly higher in patients with stages B, C and D when compared to patients with stage A ( P < 0.05). Serum IL-18 level was significantly higher in the metastatic patients compared with the nonmetastatic patients ( P < 0.01). There was no difference in serum nitrate and nitrite level between metastatic and nonmetastatic patients ( P > 0.05). The serum IL-18 and nitrate and nitrite levels decreased after patients underwent surgical resection. Conclusion Serum IL-18 level may be a useful marker to predict prognosis of patients with prostate cancer after surgery. Long-term follow- up is required to clarify this hypothesis.