Evaluation of selected interleukins in patients with different gastric neoplasms: a preliminary report

TL;DR

This study explores how certain interleukins differ in patients with various gastric tumors, suggesting they could help detect gastric cancer.

Contribution

The study identifies specific interleukin ratios as potential biomarkers for gastric cancer detection.

Findings

Gastric cancer patients have higher IL-6 and lower IL-8 and IL-10 levels compared to controls and other tumor patients.

IL-6/IL-8 and IL-6/IL-10 ratios are higher in gastric cancer patients and show diagnostic potential.

Interleukin ratios appear more promising than direct interleukin levels for detecting gastric cancer.

Abstract

Abnormal interactions between cytokines may be an overlooked mechanism linking the development of different types of gastric neoplasms. In this study a comprehensive analysis of the systemic levels of interleukins (IL-1,IL-6, IL-8,IL-10 and IL-12) was performed in 75 patients with different gastric neoplasms (cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neuroendocrine neoplasms, lymphomas) and 40 healthy volunteers. Patients with gastric cancer (GC) have significantly higher IL-6 levels, and lower IL-8 and IL-10 concentrations, in comparison to controls and patients with other gastric neoplasms. Analogous results were observed in terms of IL-6/IL-8 and IL-6/IL-10 ratios, whose values were also higher in GC patients. In GC patients no associations were detected between the systemic levels/values of interleukins (ratios) and TNM staging. IL-6, IL-10, IL-6/IL-8 and IL-6/IL-10 ratios appeared to hold diagnostic potential in confirming/excluding the presence of GC. Their sensitivity/specificity in GC detection/exclusion was approximately 54–72%. In conclusion, disturbed systemic biochemical balance in multiple interleukins exists at the earliest stages of and appears to be specific to GC. The interleukin ratios proposed here seem to be more promising indicators of GC in humans than direct systemic levels of interleukins, and probably possess the potential to be applied as a supporting factor for techniques routinely used.

Figures