Serum interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein as a prognostic indicator in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often associated with chronic inflammation, suggesting a strong relationship between inflammation and carcinogenesis. This study evaluated the prognostic values of inflammatory and T-helper (Th) cytokines in the clinical outcome and survival of HCC. The study included 110 patients with HCC undergoing loco-regional therapy and 24 healthy controls. Five Th1/Th2 cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified before and after loco-regional treatment, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Levels of CRP, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-6 were higher in patients with HCC than those in healthy subjects. Tumor characteristics, Child-Pugh class, and CRP, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were associated with HCC survival (all P<0.05). With multivariate analysis, higher IL-6 levels were identified as the independent cytokine for shorter survival (P=0.010). Higher CRP and IL-6 levels correlated well with larger tumor size, poor Child-Pugh function, and shorter survival, with a significant inter-correlation (r=0.667). On serial measurements, the association of CRP with tumor response was stronger than that of α-fetoprotein or other cytokines. IL-6 and CRP are strong inflammatory indicators predictive of outcome in patients with HCC receiving loco-regional therapy. This study suggests that inflammatory activation of the IL-6/CRP network may be a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for HCC.

• Authors: Jeong Won Jang, Byong Sun Oh, Jung Hyun Kwon, Chan Ran You, Kyu Won Chung, Chul Seung Kay, Hyun Suk Jung
• Journal: Cytokine (Cytokine) Vol. 60 Issue 3 Pg. 686-93 (Dec 2012) ISSN: 1096-0023 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22906998 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Interleukin-6
• Interleukin-10
• Interleukin-4
• Epirubicin
• Doxorubicin
• C-Reactive Protein
• Cisplatin

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (blood)
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (blood, drug therapy, radiotherapy)
• Cisplatin (therapeutic use)
• Doxorubicin (therapeutic use)
• Epirubicin (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Interleukin-4 (blood)
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Liver Neoplasms (blood, drug therapy, radiotherapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis