The aim of the analysis was for the first time to assess the expression of genes encoding IL-21 and IL-22 at the mRNA level in ovarian tumor specimens and the concentration of these parameters in serum and peritoneal fluid in patients with ovarian serous cancer. The levels of IL-21 and IL-22 transcripts were evaluated with the use of the real-time RT-qPCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentration of proteins. Quantitative analysis of IL-21 gene mRNA in the tumor tissue showed the highest activity in the G1 degree of histopathological differentiation and was higher in G1 compared to the control group. The concentration of IL-21 and IL-22 in the serum and in the peritoneal fluid of women with ovarian cancer varied depending on the degree of histopathological differentiation of the cancer and showed statistical variability compared to controls. The conducted studies have shown that the local and systemic changes in the immune system involving IL-21 and IL-22 indicate the participation of these parameters in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, and modulation in the IL-21/IL-22 system may prove useful in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies used in patients, which require further research.
Keywords: interleukin 21; interleukin 22; ovarian cancer.