Evaluation of the associations between GDF-15, OPG, and IL-15 levels in CRC: preliminary results

Introduction: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Interleukin-15 (IL-15), and Growth/Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) are all proven to take part in the processes associated with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) including tissue remodeling, inflammation modulation, and metastasis. Aim of the study: To investigate the concentrations of GDF-15, OPG and IL-15 in tumor and margin tissues of CRC in relation to clinicopathological features of patients. Material and methods: The study used 50 specimens of tumor and tumor-free margin tissues obtained from CRC patients. To determine the GDF-15, OPG and IL-15 concentrations commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used. Results: Concentrations of GDF-15, OPG and IL-15 were significantly higher in the tumor in comparison with the margin. The tumor levels of GDF-15 were positively associated with those of OPG and IL-15, while tumor levels of OPG correlated positively with those of IL-15. There was no association between levels of investigated molecules and clinical features of patients. Conclusions: The levels of GDF-15, OPG and IL-15 are elevated in patients suffering from CRC. More studies are needed to establish a specific role of these cytokines in the development, tumor growth, progression, and prognosis of CRC and to examine their role as possible CRC treatment candidates