Fig. 6

Peripheral blood plasma cytokine levels in breast cancer patients during one year. The amount of (A) IFN-γ, (B) IL-12, (C) IL-7, (D) TNF, (E) IL-4, (F) IL-10 and (G) IL-8, was determined quarterly by multiplex cytokine assay (MAGPIX^®). The first measurement (baseline, 0 months) was performed after diagnosis and before initiation of therapy. Boxes extend from the 10th to the 90th percentiles. Points below and above the whiskers are drawn as individual data points. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.005, therapy group differences were assessed using two-tailed Mann Whitney U test, differences over time within one group were assessed using two-tailed Wilcoxon matched-paired signed rank test