Clinical significance of determination of changes of serum contents of TGF-β1, IL-8 and T cell subsets distribution type in patients with nasopharangeal carcinoma

Objective: To explore the significance of changes of serum transform growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and IL-8 as well as T cell subsets distribution type in patients with nasopharangeal carcinoma. Methods: Serum TGF-β1 (with ELISA), IL-8 ( with RIA) levels and T cell subsets distribution type (with monoclonal antibody technique) were determined in 31 patients with nasopharan-geal carcinoma as well as in 35 controls. Results: The serum levels of TGF-β1, IL-8 and CD8 percentage were significantly higher in the patients than those in controls (P<0.01), while CD3, CD4 percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly lower (P< 0.01). In the patients, the serum TGF-β1 levels were positively correlated with CD8 percentage and negatively correlated with CD4 percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio, Conclusion: The altered levels of TGF-β1 and IL-8 as well as the decrease of CD4/CD8 were correlated with the clinical development and prognosis in patients with nasopharangeal carcinoma. (authors)