Expression of IL-32 modulates NF-κB and p38 MAP kinase pathways in human esophageal cancer.

Background: Esophageal cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer death in males in USA, and there is a strong link has been demonstrated between inflammation and esophageal cancer, interleukin (IL)-32 is a recently described pro-inflammatory cytokine characterized by the induction of nuclear factor NF-κB activation, the p38MAPK also plays an important role in key cellular processes related to inflammation and cancer. We investigated whether the IL-32 expression may be involved in esophageal carcinogenesis through modulates the activity of NF-κB and p-p38 MAPK.

Method: Malignant esophageal tissue and blood samples were obtained from 65 operated untreated patients, normal samples was obtained from 35 patients operated for other reasons as control.