Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Assessment of Serum Interleukin-38 Levels in Iranian Patients with Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Cancers: A Case-Control Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ali Tadayon 1
Javad Moayedi 2
Mohammad Javad Fattahi 3
Behnaz Nazari 4
Maryam Mardani 5

1 Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

4 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

5 Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.34172/jkmu.3969
Abstract
Background: Similar to other cancers, the development of salivary gland cancers (SGCs) is influenced by the tumor microenvironment and controlled by the host's immune system. Interleukin-38 (IL-38) is highly expressed in inflammatory conditions to prevent excessive inflammatory responses and tissue injury; however, its role in SGCs remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate IL-38 serum levels in Iranian patients with benign and malignant SGCs and in healthy individuals to explore its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for SGCs.
Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, IL-38 levels were measured in serum samples from 120 patients with SGCs (64 benign and 56 malignant cases) and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.
Results: There was a significant difference in IL-38 serum levels between patients and the control group (49.1 ± 6.2 ng/L vs. 38.6 ± 6.8 ng/L, p < 0.0001), but not between benign and malignant cases (48.2 ± 7.1 ng/L vs. 50.2 ± 4.8 ng/L, p = 0.085). A significant negative correlation was observed between SGC size and IL-38 serum levels (R = −0.195, p = 0.042). However, IL-38 was not associated with other clinicopathologic factors, including gender, age, tumor type, lesion location, and tumor stage (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: This study, for the first time, supports the clinical value of IL-38 serum levels as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing patients with SGCs. Focusing on IL-38 production or its release mechanism could offer therapeutic benefits for these patients. However, further research with a larger sample is required.

Highlights

Ali Tadayon (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Javad Moayedi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Mohammad Javad Fattahi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Behnaz Nazari (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Maryam Mardani (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

Salivary gland neoplasms
Interleukin-38
Prognosis
Subjects
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Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 33
Pages 1-7

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