Cytokine evaluation in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the roles of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
AFP and cytokine serum concentrations were determined via EIA or ELISA.


RESULTS
In total, 81 patients were included, including 9 healthy controls, 36 LC patients, and 36 HCC patients. Significant differences in AFP, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-18 between the three groups were noted (p < 0.001). AFP was lowest in the healthy subjects, intermediate in LC patients and highest in HCC patients (all p < 0.001). 11-6 and 11-18 concentrations were significantly higher in the HCC group than the other two groups. HCC and LC patients with AFP concentration > 7ng/ml had increased IL-18 concentrations compared to both the other groups p < 0.001). In contrast to previously published studies, TNF-alpha was highest in the healthy group, intermediate in the HCC group, and lowest in the LC group (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
IL-18 may be a potential tumour marker in combination with IL-6 and AFP in the diagnosis of HCC, but further research including a larger population of patients is essential. Further research is warranted.
Cheng
Ken-Sheng
KS
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. linda.home99@msa.hinet.net
Tang
Hui-Ling
HL
Chou
Fu-Tsan
FT
Chou
Jen-Wei
JW
Hsu
Chang-Hu
CH
Yu
Cheng-Ju
CJ
Kao
Shung-Te
ST
Li
Tsai-Chung
TC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins