title: Role of several cytokines and adhesion molecules in the diagnosis and prediction of survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is still need for accurate markers for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and assessment of prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate interleukin (IL)-32, IL-1 beta, IL-18, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis of HCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with HCC and 15 healthy volunteers were enroled into this prospective study. Serum samples were obtained at the first admission before any treatment was given. Serum IL-32, IL-1 beta, IL-18, VCAM-1, and EpCAM levels were determined using ELISA kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patient group and controls was 60±9years and 56±8years, respectively. The mean serum level of IL-32 was higher in patients with HCC than in the control subjects (65.1 vs. 14.1pg/mL; p<0.001). IL-18 levels were significantly higher in the HCC group (546.5 vs. 157.8pg/mL; p<0.001). EpCAM (20.3 vs. 1.5pg/mL; p<0.001) and VCAM (6.5 vs. 1.8μg/mL; p<0.001) levels were also higher in patients with HCC. The mean level of IL-1 beta in the HCC group was similar to that in the control subjects (1.9 vs. 1.9pg/mL; p=0.97). Fifty-eight per cent of the patients with HCC died at 7.3months (median). Cytokine levels except EpCAM did not correlate with survival (p>0.05). Alpha-foetoprotein, IL-32, IL-18, EpCAM, and VCAM had valuable cutoff levels to differentiate between patients with HCC and control group (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although cytokines can be a diagnostic marker for HCC, they did not have any significant prognostic value in patients with HCC. Only EpCAM may be used to determine the prognosis of HCC, thereby assisting with treatment management.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Raim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iliaz
authors.affiliation: Yeditepe University, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Akyuz
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Didem
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serilmez
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evirgen
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilger
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cavus
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hilal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soydinc
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Derya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duranyildiz
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cetin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Besisik
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sabahattin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaymakoglu
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: filizakyuz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Filiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akyuz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D015996:Survival Rate; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; C496971:IL32 protein, human; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D007378:Interleukins; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins
keywords: Adhesion molecule; Diagnosis; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Interleukins; Prognosis