Evaluation of ‘Cytorisk Index’ (IL-6*survivin/IL-4 ratio) as a predictor of tumour aggression in breast cancer

Introduction

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers afflicting women. Immuno-oncology is an upcoming field which has established the role of immunocompetent cells and cytokines in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple cancers including breast cancer.

Methods

The study comprised of three groups- Group Icytologically confirmed breast cancer, group II- benign breast disease, group IIInormal healthy controls. Survivin, IL-4 and IL-6 levels were estimated and a novel index- cytorisk index calculated. The breast cancer patients were followed up and the histopathological markers of tumour aggression were correlated with the cytorisk index calculated at the time of diagnosis.

Results

The median Cytorisk Index values were: control group – 90.86 (IQR: 33.29–167.37), benign group – 0.004 (IQR: 0.002–0.012), and malignant group – 31.91 (IQR: 9.61–73.19). Pearson’s correlation analysis between the Cytorisk Index and lymphovascular invasion (LV1) and perineural invasion (PN1) status revealed a statistically significant positive correlation (p = 0.016)

Conclusion

The significance of our findings lies in the Cytorisk Index's ability to serve as a noninvasive biomarker for distinguishing between benign breast tumors, malignant breast tumors, and healthy individuals during the initial stages of tumor detection. The positive correlation with the histopathological markers of disease aggression highlights the importance of this index as an important marker of breast cancer prognostication.