Cytokines in Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer

ABSTRACT

Aims: Blood levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in 40 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and pancreatic cancer (PC) as compared to healthy controls. Methods: With respect to the blood levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the 40 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and pancreatic cancer (PC), there was a significant increase of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as compared to healthy controls. Result. Clinical and laboratory analyses revealed an enlargement of the pancreas in 32 (80%), and of the spleen in 3 (7%) patients, respectively. Elevated bilirubin was present in 17 patients (41%), significantly elevated lipase, gamma-glutamyl trans peptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were found in 24 (62%) patients.  ALT and AST activities were significantly elevated in 20 (50%), moderately elevated (3-5 xULN) in 6(15%) patients and slightly elevated (1.5-3 x ULN) in 14 (35%) patients.  Serum albumin levels were reduced in 21 (51%) patients. The tumor markers CA 19-9 was elevated in 15 (38%) patients with a tumor in the head of the pancreas that was confirmed by computer tomography. Conclusion. The results indicate that cytokines are activated in patients with CP and PC respectively. This activation is accompanied by an increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2R, IL-6, TNF-αand INF-y, which closely correlate with the major pathological clinical and laboratory parameters in these patients.