Figure 2

Serum cytokine profile. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12p70, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6, IL10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels were evaluated in serum samples from HER2-negative (n = 36) and HER2-positive (n = 25) patients at diagnosis, and at the 12° and 24° weeks (W) of NC treatment. A. Trend of cytokine levels throughout NC in the 2 groups of treatment. Box plots represent the median values, the 25th, and the 75th percentiles. B. IL-10 levels in HER2-positive patients achieving a complete (n = 13) or a partial (n = 12) pathological response. Each circle symbolizes the IL-10 concentration measured in each patient. The mean value is indicated. C. Cytokine levels in HER2-negative patients divided in individuals achieving a complete (n = 5) or a partial (n = 31) pathological response. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student’s t test; *P < 0.05. HER2, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2. HER2⁺, HER2-positive patients. HER2^-, HER2-negative patients.