OBJECTIVETo determine the preoperative serum VEGF, IL-6, and CRP levels in colorectal carcinoma, and to explore their correlation with disease status and prognosis.

METHODSSerum VEGF and IL-6 levels were assessed using ELISA, and CRP was measured by immunoturbidimetry. They were compared between the colorectal carcinoma group and the control group. The five-year survival rate and poor prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank method, respectively.

RESULTSThe serum VEGF, IL-6, and CRP levels in colorectal carcinoma were (591 ± 312) pg/ml, (13.2 ± 3.7) pg/ml, and (1.14 ± 0.87) mg/dl, respectively, higher than that in the control group. The two groups showed significant difference in VEGF and CRP (P < 0.001, P = 0.002). VEGF expression was higher in male than that in female [(638 ± 387) pg/ml vs. (552 ± 271) pg/ml, P = 0.042]. The cases with tumor size smaller than 5 cm had lower VEGF expression compared with that in cases with tumor size ≥ 5 cm [(538 ± 275) pg/ml vs. (647 ± 331) pg/ml, P = 0.009]. IL-6 expression showed significant difference in males (11.7 ± 3.2) and females (15.2 ± 4.0) pg/ml, (P = 0.011). The five-year survival rate in the group with VEGF < 591 pg/ml was 86.8% (33/38), higher than that in the ≥ 591 pg/m group. High VEGF level tended to reduce survival (χ(2) = 0.933, P = 0.344). VEGF ≥ 591 pg/ml was a factor of poor prognosis in colorectal carcinoma, assessed by Log-rank methods (P < 0.05). Tumor size and VEGF concentration were risk factors of prognosis (P = 0.032, OR = 0.985; P = 0.011, OR = 0.976).

CONCLUSIONSSerum VEGF and IL-6 expressions have gender differences. Serum VEGF can be used as a biomaker of clinical diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and has an important significance on the prognosis of patients.