Abstract
Chronic inflammation contributes to colorectal carcinogenesis. To determine whether serum cytokines are associated with colon polyps, 126 asymptomatic men (48-65 years) were recruited during colonoscopy. Serum cytokine concentrations were measured. Odds ratios were determined using polytomous logistic regression for polyp number and type. Men with serum monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) or soluble interleukin-4 receptor (sIL-4R) concentrations in the highest tertile were 0.2 times less likely to have three or more polyps relative to no polyps. For each increase in serum MCP-3 or sIL-4R tertile a man was about 0.4 times less likely to have three or more polyps than to have no polyps. Men with serum concentrations of interferon-α2 (IFN-α2) or interleukin (IL)-7 in the highest tertile were three times more likely to have an adenoma than no polyps. Those with serum IL-8 concentrations in the highest tertile were four times more likely to have an adenoma than no polyps. For each increase in serum IFN-α2, IL-7, or IL-8 tertile an individual was 1.8 times more likely to have an adenoma than to have no polyps. Serum concentrations of MCP-3, sIL-4R, IFN-α2, IL-7, and IL-8 may indicate which men are more likely to have colorectal polyps.