The potential value of some adipokines and cytokines as diagnostic biomarkers for prostate cancer
Authors: Yousif Pshtiwan Abdullah , Ismail Parween Abdulsamad 
Published: October 2023

Background: The role of Adipokines and proinflammatory cytokines is said to be crucial in the development of prostate cancer. Vaspin, Chemerin, Omentin, Interleukins IL-1β, interleukin-8 (IL8), Colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) have all been proven to take part in tumor growth and progression.

Aim of the study: The study aimed to explore circulating novel adipocytokines, such as serum of Vaspin, Chemerin and Omentin levels in patients with prostate cancer and to determine the level of selected proinflammatory cytokines (CCL18, IL-8, IL1, and GM-CSF).

Methods: Three groups were included in the current study: Group (1) :32 patients with metastatic prostate cancer who received chemotherapy, Group (2): 30 untreated patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer, and Group (3): 30 healthy controls. ELISA technique was used to assess serum levels of Vaspin, Chemerin, Omentin, CCL18, IL-8, IL1, and GM-CSF).

Results: The Prostate cancer group exhibited higher serum levels of Vaspin, Chemerin, Omentin, CCL18, IL-8, IL1, and GM-CSF compared to the control group. Chemotherapy-treated patients exhibited significantly increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8) and Adipokines (Vaspin and Omentin) and decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1) and Adipokines (Chemerin). The correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation of serum Chemerin with Vaspin (r = 0.957, p-value<0.0001), IL-8 (r = 0.9475, p-value < 0.0001) and IL-1β (r = 0.7771, p-value < 0.0029). Omentin and GS-CSF levels showed a non-significant positive correlation with Chemerin level (r = 0.1259; p = 0.6967).) and (r = 0.4247; p = 0.1688), respectively. While significant negative correlation was found between (Chemerin) with CCL-18 (r = –0.7916, p = 0.0022), serum Vaspin was significantly and negatively correlated with the levels of CCL-18 (r = –0.9349, p < 0.0001), whereas there was a significant positive correlation between Vaspin level with IL-8 (R=0.9995, p <0.0001); IL-1β(r = 0.561, p = 0.0057). The data demonstrated that Vaspin was positively and non-significantly correlated with the level of GS-CSF (r = 0.1437, p =0.656); serum Omentin was significantly and negatively correlated with the levels of GS-CSF (r = –0.8447, p = 0.0005), and CCL-18 (r= –0.7058, p = 0.0103), whereas there was a non-significant positive correlation between Omentin level with IL-8 (r = 0.4364, p = 0.1561). The data demonstrated that Omentin was negatively and non-significantly correlated with the level of IL-1β (r= –0.5366, p =0.0786).

Conclusions: This study indicated increased levels of serum Vaspin, Chemerin, Omentin, Interleukins IL-1β, interleukin-8 (IL8), Colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) in patients with Prostate cancer. These findings suggest that the cytokines, and adipokines, whose levels were elevated in the chemotherapy-treated patients may be involved in the pathophysiology of prostate cancer. Vaspin, Chemerin and Omentin might play an important role in Prostate cancer progression through their association with Adipokines and proinflammatory cytokines. More studies are needed to investigate the possible role of Vaspin, Chemerin and Omentin as potential markers in the development of Prostate cancer.