Association of Serum and Intratumoral Cytokine profiles with Tumor Stage and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background: We examined cytokine profiles and evaluated the association between cytokine levels, pathological stages, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Materials and Methods: Patients with colorectal cancer (n=20, TNM stage I, II, and III) were enrolled. Levels of nine cytokines [interleukin (IL)-4,-6, -8, -10, -12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] were measured in serum, normal mucosa, and tumor using the Bio-Plex® cytokine assay. Results: The mean IL8, GM-CSF and VEGF levels were higher in tumors, whereas the mean IL6 level was higher in serum. Cytokine levels correlated with TNM stage (IL6 and IL8 in serum, and IL8 and VEGF in tumor) and with NLR (IL6 and IL8 in serum, and IL8 in tumor). Conclusion: Different cytokine profiles were observed in serum, normal mucosa, and tumor tissue. The elevation of specific cytokines in sera or tumors reflects features of advanced disease.