Abstract
PROBLEM: Uterine leiomyomata are the most common reproductive tumor in women, and their cause is not known. METHODS OF STUDY: Plasma samples from 155 women (74 with and 81 without ultrasound-confirmed leiomyoma) from a new study of leiomyoma risk factors in the Detroit, Michigan area, were examined for any cross-sectional associations between commonly examined cytokines and leiomyoma presence. RESULTS: Associations varied by season of sample collection defined a priori as winter (December-February) and non-winter seasons. In the winter months, interleukin (IL)13 and IL17 were positively and IP10 was inversely associated with having a leiomyoma. In the non-winter samples, VEGF, G-CSF, and IP10 were positively associated and Monocyte chemotactic protein-1, IL13, and IL17 were inversely associated with having a leiomyoma. Associations were not changed by adjustment for age or BMI. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that new insight into leiomyoma formation may be acquired through investigation of the immune system.