RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Serum Cytokines and Cancer in Involuntary Weight Loss
JF Journal of Investigative Medicine
JO J Investig Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 827
OP 829
DO 10.2310/JIM.0b013e31825148b1
VO 60
IS 5
A1 Cristian Baicus
A1 Simona Caraiola
A1 Mihai Rimbas
A1 Ruxandra Patrascu
A1 Anda Baicus
YR 2012
UL http://hw-f5-jim.highwire.org/content/60/5/827.abstract
AB Background Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 may be associated with involuntary weight loss in patients with and without cancer. However, results of previous studies have been conflicting. We evaluated patients who had involuntary weight loss to determine cytokine levels and the correlation of these cytokines with weight loss, the association with inflammation, and the potential for use in cancer diagnosis.Materials and Methods In 290 consecutive patients with involuntary weight loss (74 patients [26%] with cancer and 216 patients [74%] without cancer), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and serum levels of C-reactive protein, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were determined.Results Higher ESR and levels of C-reactive protein, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were associated with cancer. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 did not correlate with the amount of weight loss. In multivariable analysis, only ESR was associated with cancer.Conclusions In patients with involuntary weight loss, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were associated with cancer but were not weight loss mediators.