C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Our results suggest that pre-diagnostic circulating CRP is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer. However, there is no significant association between IL-6 and colorectal cancer risk.

Circulating C-Reactive Protein and Breast Cancer Risk—Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

“…Increased concentration of CRP is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality (11), colorectal cancer (12), and lung cancer (13). Poorer prognosis in cancer patients, including those of breast cancer was also reported (1,14), but evidence on the association of CRP with breast cancer risk is inconsistent.…”

Adolescent body mass index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in relation to colorectal cancer risk

“…We can, however, place our results in the context of the vast literature on adult inflammation and CRC, which also suggests a positive association between inflammation and CRC risk. A recent meta-analysis of the systemic inflammatory biomarker CRP in relation to CRC risk concluded that a one-unit change in the natural logarithm of CRP was associated with a significant 12% increase in CRC risk 21. A strong dose–response relationship has also been observed between PGE-M and CRC, with Chinese women in the upper PGE-M quartile experiencing a 5.6-fold higher risk of CRC than women in the lowest quartile (95% CI 2.4 to 13.5) 22.…”

“…Moreover, prospective studies have linked high levels of PGE-M to risk of clinically meaningful adenoma 29 30. Nevertheless, while there is much evidence to support the association between inflammation in adults and CRC, not all studies are in agreement 21 48–50. Some evidence suggests that the apparent association between adult CRP and CRC is driven by subclinical CRC present at blood draw 50.…”

“…Most studies addressing the association between adult inflammation and CRC risk have defined inflammation using circulating concentrations of CRP, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor receptors or by urinary concentration of PGE-M 21 22 28 51. Little is known about how ESR relates to CRC risk among healthy individuals, despite the utility of ESR as a measure of inflammation, its use in tracking inflammation among patients with IBD and its prospective association with CRC risk among patients with IBD 23 24 37 38…”

“…Chronic inflammation in adulthood has also been implicated in the aetiology of CRC,19 20 with prospective studies observing significant associations between CRC and inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP)21 and prostaglandin E2-metabolite (PGE-M) 22. Further, persons with IBD experience increased risk of CRC23 24 and use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug aspirin has been shown to reduce CRC risk and mortality 25.…”