Serum Levels of APRIL Increase in Patients with Glioma, Meningioma and Schwannoma

Abstract

Objective: Brain tumors are of high mortality and morbidity for which there is still no cure. The TNF family cytokine,<br />A Proliferation Inducing Ligand (APRIL), is shown to help proliferation and development of tumor cells. We assessed<br />serum levels of APRIL in patients with glioma, meningioma and schwannoma in comparison to healthy individuals.<br />Methods: Peripheral blood samples of 68 patients with brain tumors, divided into three groups of gliomas (n=25),<br />meningiomas (n=30) and schwannomas (n=13), as well as 45 healthy individuals were obtained. Serum samples were<br />prepared and stored in -40°C until usage. Using a commercial ELISA method, APRIL concentration was measured in<br />each serum sample. The obtained data were then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: APRIL serum levels were<br />higher in all patients compared to the controls (P<0.001). Moreover, APRIL serum levels were higher in each of the<br />tumor bearing groups (gliomas, meningiomas and schwannomas) in comparison to the controls (P<0.001, <0.001<br />and =0.001, respectively). Comparing APRIL between the patients groups showed no significant difference. Age and<br />gender showed no significant correlation with serum APRIL levels, although the age of patients in glioma group was<br />significantly lower than controls (P=0.017). The serum APRIL levels in gliomas with histological grade showed no<br />difference, but in meningiomas, it was lower in tumors with higher grades (P= 0.011). Conclusion: Increased serum<br />levels of APRIL in patients with meningioma and schwannoma as well as glioma may indicate a common role of this<br />cytokine in brain tumors.