Effects of the balance between type 1 and type 2 T helper cells on ovarian cancer

The balance between type 1 and type 2 T helper cells (the Th1-Th2 balance) is closely correlated with cancer, but the correlation in ovarian cancer remains unconfirmed. We investigated the Th1-Th2 balance for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of ovarian cancer. Fifty healthy subjects and 50 ovarian cancer patients were recruited. The levels of various cytokines were determined in sera and ovarian cancer tissues using a Th1-Th2 human cytokine array. The usefulness of TNF alpha, IFN gamma, TNF alpha/IL-4, and IFN gamma/IL-4 for ovarian cancer diagnosis was assessed based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The relationship between the TNF alpha/IL-4 level and survival time was investigated based on a survival curve. In the ovarian cancer patients, the levels of Th1 factors (IL-2, IFN gamma, TNF alpha, and IL-13) increased significantly in the sera, and IFN gamma and TNF alpha increased significantly in the ovarian cancer tissues. The levels of Th2 factors (IL-5 and IL-6) increased in the sera, but the level of IL-6 decreased significantly in the ovarian cancer tissues. Serum TNF alpha/IL-4 and IFN gamma/IL-4 levels increased significantly in the peripheral blood of the ovarian cancer patients. ROC curve analysis revealed that TNF alpha, IFN gamma, TNF alpha/IL-4, and IFN gamma/IL-4 levels are useful for ovarian cancer diagnosis, with area under the curve values of 0.831, 0.753, 0.846, and 0.803, respectively. The TNF alpha/IL-4 level in the ovarian cancer patients was positively correlated with survival time, and the Th1-Th2 balance shifted toward Th1 in the ovarian cancer patients. The TNF alpha/IL-4 ratio might be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer.