Serum pro-inflammatory cytokines as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma.

Background: Multiple lines of evidence have indicated that pro-inflammatory cytokines play a role in the pathophysiology of gastric carcinoma (GC).

Aim: To identify potential serum cytokine-based biomarkers for GC diagnosis.

Methods: The study cohort comprised 50 patients diagnosed with GC and 50 healthy control subjects. A panel of 7 pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were quantified using multiplex Luminex assays. Comparative analyses were conducted to evaluate cytokine levels between the GC patients and healthy controls. The diagnostic potential of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in differentiating GC patients from healthy individuals was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The correlation between serum cytokine levels and disease severity, as classified by the tumor-node-metastasis staging system, was analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results: In comparison to the control group, patients with GC demonstrated significantly elevated serum levels of IL-1β (t = -4.089, P < 0.001), IL-6 (t = -3.983, P < 0.001), IL-8 (t = -5.460, P < 0.001), and IFN-γ (t = -2.856, P = 0.005). ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve values for IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 exceeded 0.7, effectively distinguishing GC patients from healthy controls. Additionally, serum levels of IL-1β (r = 0.424, P = 0.012) and IL-6 (r = 0.742, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with the T stage in GC patients. Similarly, serum concentrations of IL-1β (r = 0.356, P = 0.039) and IL-6 (r = 0.441, P = 0.008) exhibited a positive association with the N stage in these patients.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of GC.