Evaluation of interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is a complicated, multifaceted condition that affects a wide range of entities and exhibits significant heterogeneity in its clinical, morphological, and molecular characteristics. Objective: This study intended to determine whether there is a correlation between the serum level of IL-4 expression and the single nucleotide polymorphism in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the development of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: IL-4 serum levels in 70 patients (35–65 years old) and 70 control groups (30–50 years old) were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Genomic DNA was obtained from blood samples for molecular analysis to investigate the TNF-α-308 G→A gene polymorphism in patients and the control groups. Genotyping done by using tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: Patients with breast cancer had significantly higher serum IL-4 levels than the control group (P < 0.001), 133.27 (66.00) vs. 38.66 (38.00), respectively. The frequency distribution of the TNF-α genotype in the patients with breast cancer and control groups was studied. In the patient group, there were 56 out of 70 heterozygous AG genotypes compared to 6 out of 70 in the control group (P < 0.001). With an odds ratio of 37.33 (95% confidence interval: 7.99–174.51) and an etiologic fraction (EF) of 0.88, the AG genotype existed indeed a risk factor. Conclusion: In the current investigation, the heterozygous AG genotype was shown to be substantially more linked with IL-4 serum and TNF-α genotype in breast cancer patient groups. Also, the homozygous GG genotype was significantly higher in correlation between IL-4 serum and TNF-α genotype in breast cancer patient group.