title: Inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors as potential biomarkers in South African pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients: A preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have investigated the association of differentially expressed cytokines with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but none in African countries. This study aimed at investigating T-helper (Th) cell and angiogenic markers as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for PDAC in Black South Africans.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, case-control study comprising of 34 PDAC patients and 27 control participants with either critical limb ischemia, abdominal aortic aneurysm or other abdominal pathology from causes other than pancreatic disease. Plasma levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-17A, VEGF, sVEGF-R1, FGF, PIGF, PDGF and P-selectin were measured using commercially available cytometric bead array, ELISA and multi-analyte Luminex kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly higher levels of IFN-γ (p < 0.001), TNF (p < 0.001), IL-2 (p = 0.001), IL-4 (p < 0.01), IL-10 (p < 0.01), IL-17A (p < 0.01), PlGF (p < 0.0001) and basic FGF (p < 0.0001) were found in cases compared to control participants. PDAC patients with irresectable tumours had higher levels of VEGF (p = 0.02) and IL-6 (p = 0.01). A univariate analysis showed significant associations between IFN-γ, TNF, IL-10, -4, -2, basic FGF, PlGF and PDAC. In a multivariate logistic regression model, basic FGF (p = 0.002) and PlGF (p = 0.007) were independent risk factors for PDAC with a combined sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary data suggests a potential role for basic FGF and PlGF as diagnostic, and VEGF and IL-6 as prognostic biomarkers of PDAC in Black South African patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
authors.forename: Yandiswa Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Yako
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; General Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, South Africa.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; General Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, South Africa.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Electronic address: Deirdre.Kruger@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Deirdré
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kruger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C098069:PIGF protein, human; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors
keywords: Cytokines; Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; South Africa