Correlation Between the Glasgow Prognostic Score and the Serum Cytokine Profile in Taiwanese Patients with Colorectal Cancer

• Published in: The International journal of biological markers Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 40 - 49
• Main Authors: Yu, Yen-Lin, Fan, Chung-Wei, Tseng, Wen-Ko, Chang, Pei-Hung, Kuo, Hsuan-Chih, Pan, Yi-Ping, Yeh, Kun-Yun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.06.2021; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; C-reactive protein; Cancer; Carcinoembryonic antigen; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colorectal Neoplasms - mortality; Cytokines; Cytokines - metabolism; Female; Humans; IL-1β; Inflammation; Interleukin 10; Interleukin 12; Interleukin 13; Interleukin 23; Interleukin 4; Interleukin 6; Male; Medical prognosis; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Survival; Survival Analysis; Taiwan; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Young Adult; γ-Interferon; Taiwan; Glasgow Prognostic Score; cytokines; carcinoembryonic antigen; interleukin-10; tumor necrosis factor-α; Colorectal cancer
• ISSN: 1724-6008; 0393-6155; 1724-6008
• DOI: 10.1177/17246008211022769

Background: The Glasgow Prognostic Score and circulating cytokine levels are related to the prognosis of colorectal cancer and the severity of chronic inflammation. The association between the Glasgow Prognostic Score and circulating cytokines in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Methods: The levels of 10 circulating cytokines (TNF-α, TGF-β, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, and IL-23) were measured in 128 patients with colorectal cancer. The relationship between the Glasgow Prognostic Score, clinicopathologic variables, and cytokine levels was assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The correlation among cytokines was also examined. Results: Patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer had lower levels of albumin (P = 0.003), higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP; P < 0.001), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; P < 0.001), interferon (IFN)-γ (P < 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-10 (P = 0.006), and shorter survival outcomes (P < 0.001). Patients with a high Glasgow Prognostic Score (1 or 2) had lower 5-year progression-free survival and poor overall survival (log-rank P < 0.001). A high Glasgow Prognostic Score was significantly correlated with abnormal CEA levels (CEA > 5 ng/mL, P = 0.033), and higher levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (TNF-α ⩾ 53.9 pg/mL, P = 0.035) and IL-10 (IL-10 ⩾ 75.95 pg/mL, P = 0.008). TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-23 were significantly correlated with each other (all P < 0.05). Only IL-10 was correlated with abnormal CEA levels (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Glasgow Prognostic Score and level of circulating cytokines have an intergroup correlation, and there is a close association among cytokines in colorectal cancer.