Interleukin-18 as a Potential Biomarker for Radiotherapy-Related Pain in Breast Cancer: Implications for Personalized Pain Management
Abstract
Background: Adjuvant RT remains a standard therapy for breast cancer, reducing recurrence risk and improving survival; however, it can also induce side effects, including pain. Inflammasome-related biomarkers, such as interleukin-18 (IL-18), play a role in inflammation-mediated pain, and we hypothesize that IL-18 may serve as a potential biomarker for breast cancer RT-induced pain. Methods: The association between IL-18 and pain was assessed among breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant RT. Plasma IL-18 protein concentration was quantified before and after RT using Ella SimplePlex technology (Biotechne). Clinically relevant pain outcomes included pre-RT pain (pain score ≥ 4), post-RT pain (pain score ≥ 4), and RT-related pain (increase in pain from
Fields of Study & Subjects
Inflammasome and immune disorders
Inflammatory Biomarkers in Disease Prognosis
Tryptophan and brain disorders
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cancers
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1100–1100
- Publication date
- 28 March 2026
- Language
- EN