We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Immune System Changes Signal Early Brain Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Jun 2017
Glioma is a heterogeneous primary malignant brain tumor with a median survival time, for the most common adult subtype, glioblastoma, of only 14 months. More...
Changes in immune activity appear to signal a growing brain tumor five years before symptoms arise.

Cytokines control immune reactions related to glioma and its microenvironment. Although there are no known empirical studies of associations between pre-diagnostic serum cytokines and glioma, there are numerous experimental studies of cytokine expression in glioma tissue and the tumor microenvironment.

Scientists at Ohio State University (Columbus, OH, USA) and their international colleagues evaluated blood samples from 974 people, half of whom went on to receive a brain-cancer diagnosis in the years after their blood was drawn. A control participant for each glioma case was randomly selected, according to an incidence density sampling scheme, from among blood donors. The samples from blood donors, 487 who were subsequently diagnosed with glioma were matched to 487 controls on age and date of blood draw and sex, and were collected between January 1, 1974 and December 31, 2007.

The team used cytokine array kits, consisting of a combination of two Human Cytokine Antibody Arrays to measure 278 serum cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors and transcription factors. The antibody- based microarray assay is analogous to a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two sets of anti-cytokine or transcription factor antibodies.

The hybridized arrays were scanned for fluorescence using the Agilent scanner G2505C. To determine whether pre-diagnostic allergy-related serum proteins are associated with glioma, they conducted a nested case-control study of seven cytokines (IL4, IL13, IL5, IL6, IL10, IFNG, TGFB2), two soluble cytokine receptors (sIL4RA, sIL13RA2) and three allergy-related transcription factors (FOXP3, STAT3, STAT6).

The scientists found that when all 315 glioblastoma cases and their controls were included in the analysis, only Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGFB2) was statistically significantly associated with glioblastoma. In addition, five years before diagnosis, they observed associations between interleukin-4 (IL4), Soluble IL-4 Receptor alpha (sIL4RA), their interaction and glioblastoma. This interaction was apparent more than 20 years before diagnosis (IL4¬-sIL4RA OR = 1.20) and the findings for glioma were similar.

Judith Schwartzbaum, PhD, an associate professor and lead author of the study, said, “It’s important to identify the early stages of tumor development if we hope to intervene more effectively. If you understand those early steps, maybe you can design treatments to block further tumor growth. There was a clear weakening of cytokine interactions in the group who developed brain cancer and it’s possible this plays a role in tumor growth and development.”

Related Links:
Ohio State University


Gold Member
Troponin T QC
Troponin T Quality Control
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Specimen Radiography System
TrueView 200 Pro
New
Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric leukemia ensures better outcomes for children with this common cancer (Photo courtesy of Qlucore)

RNA-Seq Based Diagnostic Test Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Pediatric Leukemia

A new unique test is set to reshape the way Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples can be analyzed. Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) has launched the first CE-marked RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.