Page 23 - Read Online

Topic: Neuroimmunology and Cancer

Serum IgE levels in patients with intracranial

tumors

2
1
1
2
George A. Alexiou , Amalia Kallinteri , Eleni Nita , Panagiota Zagorianakou , Stamatina Levidiotou ,
2
Spyridon Voulgaris 1
1 Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
2 Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
ABSTRA CT
Aim: Several epidemiological studies have shown an inverse correlation between allergy and brain cancer. The purpose of this
study was to compare the serum IgE levels between patients with gliomas and nonglial tumors and their possible prognostic role.
Methods: A total of 84 patients with intracranial tumors were included in this study. At clinical presentation, estimation of serum IgE
levels was assessed by nephelometry. Detailed information regarding the history of allergies was collected by interview. Results: Of
the 84 cases, 42 were gliomas, 23 were meningiomas, 16 were metastases and 3 were primary central nervous system lymphomas.
Patients with high‑grade glioma had lower IgE levels than patients with low‑grade glioma. Patients with glioma and meningioma
had statistical significant lower serum IgE levels than patients with metastases. Patients with glioblastoma with serum IgE levels
greater than 24 U/mL had a better survival. Conclusion: Patients with glioma and meningioma had lower IgE levels than patients
with metastatic lesions. A prognostic role of serum IgE levels was found in glioblastoma. Further studies in larger patient series are
required in order to verify our preliminary observations.

Key words: Glioma, IgE, meningioma, metastasis

INTRODUCTION METHODS

Several epidemiological studies have shown an inverse We prospectively studied patients who were operated
correlation between allergy and brain cancer. [1,2] The on for brain tumors in our institute, between April 2010
exact mechanism of how allergy protects is largely and February 2014. Patients were included if assessment
unknown. Plasma IgE levels are a marker of allergy. of IgE levels was performed at first presentation before
receiving any treatment. Detailed information regarding
Patients with gliomas have been reported to have lower the history of allergies was collected by interview using
IgE levels than controls. Furthermore, meningiomas a questionnaire. Questionnaire included the following
[2]
patients were found to have lower total serum IgE levels allergens: foods, dust, animals, plants, stinging or
than controls, and an inverse correlation was also found biting insects, cosmetics, drugs, and mold. A history
between risk of meningioma and history of allergies. of asthma was also recorded. Personal information,
[3]
To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has including smoking, alcohol consumption and diet was
examined if significant similarities or differences in also included. Serum total IgE levels were measured for
serum IgE levels exist among patients with different all patients by nephelometry (Immage 800, Beckman
intracranial tumors. Thus, we aimed to investigate Coulter). Ethics approval was given by the review
serum IgE levels in patients with different intracranial board of University of Ioannina.
tumors and a possible prognostic value of serum IgE Statistical analysis
levels in patients with glioblastoma. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for two-group
comparison. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were
Access this article online
used for categorical independent variables. Survival
Quick Response Code: time was defined as the time between the date at
Website: diagnosis and the date of death for deceased patients
www.nnjournal.net
or to the last follow-up of the surviving patients. The
DOI: overall survival time was estimated using Kaplan-
10.4103/2347-8659.149398 Meier methods, and log-rank analysis was performed
to compare survival curves between groups. Patients

Correspondence Author: Dr. George A. Alexiou, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, University of Ioannina,
45110 Ioannina, Greece. E‑mail: alexiougrg@yahoo.gr

Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation | Volume 2 | Issue 1 | January 15, 2015 15