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Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Research Article

Interleukin-17 is a favorable prognostic marker for colorectal cancer

Authors: Y. Lin, J. Xu, H. Su, W. Zhong, Y. Yuan, Z. Yu, Y. Fang, H. Zhou, C. Li, K. Huang

Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

The role of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the tumor microenvironment is controversial. We analyzed the in situ tumor expression of IL-17 in colorectal cancer (CRC), adenoma and non-tumor tissue to explore the possible correlation of IL-17 expression to clinicopathological characteristics, tumor-infiltrating neutrophils (TINs) and survival in CRC.

Methods

We reviewed the records of 78 consecutive patients diagnosed with CRC. Archival tissues were used. Thirty-six patients with colorectal adenoma were also included. From the 78 CRC patients, we randomly chose 40 cases and collected non-tumor tissue at 10 cm from the edge of the resected tumor. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-IL-17 and anti-CD15 (targeting neutrophils) antibody, respectively. Real-time PCR was used to detect IL-17 mRNA in different tissues. Associations between IL-17 expression, clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were evaluated.

Results

The level of IL-17 mRNA was higher in CRC than in adenoma and non-tumor tissue (P < 0.05). Positive IL-17 protein expression was observed more frequently in CRC as compared to colorectal adenoma and non-tumor tissue, respectively (P < 0.01). IL-17 expression correlated to well differentiation and early stage CRC. The number of CD15+ neutrophils significantly increased in CRC and positively correlated to the expression of IL-17 (P < 0.05). Both Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that patients with positive IL-17 expression showed better overall survival.

Conclusions

The association between IL-17 expression and the clinicopathological parameters, as well as the clinical outcome suggests a significant role of IL-17 in CRC. IL-17 is a marker of favorable prognosis.
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Metadata
Title
Interleukin-17 is a favorable prognostic marker for colorectal cancer
Authors
Y. Lin
J. Xu
H. Su
W. Zhong
Y. Yuan
Z. Yu
Y. Fang
H. Zhou
C. Li
K. Huang
Publication date
01-01-2015
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
Clinical and Translational Oncology / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1699-048X
Electronic ISSN: 1699-3055
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-014-1197-3

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