| dc.description.abstract | Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the
most prevalent cancers globally, accounting for
nearly 10% of all cancers. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and
Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels have been reported to
increase in CRC patients. The studies on IL-6 and
IL-8 levels of CRCs have confined to Caucasian
populations and levels of these cytokines have not
been extensively investigated in South Asian
populations. They have the potential of using as
markers but are not being used in clinical practice,
yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to
investigate the serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels in a
cohort of Sri Lankan patients. Blood samples from
thirty five patients with CRCs and thirty five
healthy volunteers were obtained after informed
consent. The concentrations of IL-8 and IL-6 were
measured using ELISA according to
manufacturer’s protocols. The mean serum
concentration of IL-6 was found to be significantly
higher in the CRC patients than controls (p<0.05).
Although the mean serum concentration of IL-8
was higher in the CRC patients than controls the
difference was not significant (p>0.04).
Interestingly, the mean serum [IL-6] in colorectal
cancer patients were correlated with the disease
stage. The study provided preliminary evidence to
use IL-6 as potential biochemical marker to be
used in the diagnosis of CRCs. However, it is
necessary analyze more patient samples to
validate the results of this study. | en_US |
