Role of type III Interferon (IL-29) on HSV-1 infection in breast cancer patients suffering from periodontitis and receiving chemotherapy

Periodontitis is an inflammation of teeth-supporting tissues. Regarding the connection between breast cancer treatments and periodontal disease, the level of Interleukin-29 may be considered as a tool for prognostic prediction of disease to take adequate measures to prevent it. This study was conducted to assess the level of Interleukin-29 among women with breast cancer and periodontitis, and the quantity of HSV-1 antigen was also assessed.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 women with breast cancer divided into three groups: periodontal patients after receiving chemotherapy (n=30), periodontal patients not receiving chemotherapy treatment (n=30), and patients without periodontitis as a control group (n=30). The levels of Interleukin-29 and HSV-1 antigen were measured using saliva samples of individuals and the ELISA method. The mean level of Interleukin-29 and HSV-1 antigen was analyzed among the three groups using the ANOVA test.

The mean of HSV-1 antigen in the group of patients with periodontitis after receiving chemotherapy was higher than the other two groups, but no statistically significant difference was observed among the three groups (P=0.071). The mean of Interleukin-29 level in the periodontitis group receiving chemotherapy (296.85) showed no significant differences as compared to the periodontitis group not receiving chemotherapy (314.99) and the control group (303.79) (P=0.572).

Compared to patients without periodontitis, the mean of Interleukin-29 level was greater in breast cancer patients with periodontitis. Moreover, a high level of HSV-1 antigen in periodontal patients receiving chemotherapy revealed an increased risk of periodontitis in breast cancer patients, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to oral and dental health in breast cancer patients.