Chemokine expression modulations in primary and metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract

Background: Chemokine are small proteins primarily involved in cell movement, immune response, inflammation and tissue repair. Chemokine also plays an important role in disease conditions including cancer growth. The objective of this study was to analyze expressional modifications in the chemokine in primary and metastatic colorectal cancer by using clinical isolates and in vivo model respectively.

Methods: Serum samples from a total of 40 colorectal cancer patients (stage II and III) and healthy controls were collected following the due ethical codes. Circulatory levels of the chemokine (CCL family) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To investigate metastasis associated expression changes of the chemokine, colorectal cancer animal model and microarray methodologies were exploited. 

Results: Increased circulatory levels of CCL2, CCL17 and CCL22 were detected in stage II and III colorectal cancer patients when compared with healthy controls. In contrast, CCL11 levels were substantially low in colorectal cancer patients. As far as rat animal model for colorectal cancer liver metastasis is concerned, only CCL2 levels were considerably high during the early phase of colorectal cancer cells’ implantation (Day 03) into the liver. Other chemokines did not demonstrate noticeable de-regulation during the whole period of experimental procedures (up to Day 21).

Conclusion: Differential circulatory levels of chemokine were detected in colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. Liver metastasis of colorectal cancer cells was accompanied by a marked increase of CCL2 during early phase of settlement. The findings reflected a discrete change in the circulatory and metastasis associated with chemokine profile in colorectal cancer.