Serum concentrations of interleukin-2R (IL-2R), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with ectopic pregnancy

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic relevance of serum cytokine concentrations in ectopic pregnancy (EP). Design: Cohort study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Seventeen women with EP, 22 women with miscarriage, and 33 women with normal intrauterine pregnancy, at comparable stages of gestation. Intervention(s): Interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) determination by immunoradiometric assay. Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum concentrations of progesterone, beta-hCG, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha. Result(s): Serum levels of IL-6 were higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. Serum levels of TNF-alpha were higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. Serum levels of IL-8 were higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. An IL-8 cutoff of >40 pg/mL predicted EP with a sensitivity of 82.4%, a specificity of 81.8%, and positive and negative predictive values of 58.3% and 93.8%. No difference in serum IL-2R levels was found among the groups. Conclusion(s): Serum IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-alpha concentrations are higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. Further studies are needed to determine their diagnostic value. (C) 2003 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.