Potential of Pre-Operative Serum Interleukin-6 as a Biomarker for Colorectal Cancers

Abstract

The diagnosis of colorectal cancers (CRC) at its early stage is challenging due to lack of early markers. Current diagnostic tests are either invasive or show low sensitivity. Interleukins are known to elevate and play important roles in the development and progression of the CRC. The studies on interleukin profiles of CRC patients are mainly confined to Caucasian populations while South Asian data are sparse. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in a cohort of Sri Lankan CRC patients and explore their potential to be used as markers for early diagnosis/prognosis of CRC. Blood samples from 35 CRC patients and 35 healthy volunteers were obtained after informed consent. Their clinical findings and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were recorded. Concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured using ELISA according to manufacturer’s protocols. Mean serum [IL-6] was found to be significantly higher in CRC patients than controls (p<0.05). The mean [IL-10]showed no difference to that of controls. (p>0.05). Interestingly, the [IL-6] in CRC patients were correlated with the disease stage (Stage I-0.16pg/ml; stage II-7.01pg/ml; stage III-15.8pg/ml and stage IV-35.48pg/ml). CEA levels were not correlated with the disease stage or withIL-6 levels. This study provided preliminary evidence to use IL-6 as a potential biochemical marker for the diagnosis of CRC inaddition to CEA. Furthermore, IL-6 could be a marker for prognosis of CRC. Further studies with higher patient samples are needed to validate the results of this study.