Cytokine
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Radiotherapy (RT) produces oxidative stress and local inflammation. This study aimed at clarifying the role of different cytokines (VEGF, TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and IL-18) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and in the serum of lung cancer patients at baseline and during RT. Bronchoscopy and BAL were performed on 36 lung cancer patients and 36 controls for diagnosis; patients receiving RT had a second bronchoscopy during RT. ⋯ This study shows that lung cancer is associated with upregulation of IL-6 and IL-8. The increase of BAL fluid IL-6 during RT might be attributed to enhanced RT-related oxidative stress or increased cell death. Serum and BAL fluid IL-8 and serum VEGF might have a prognostic role in survival of lung cancer.