Involvement of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-6 in progression of human gastric carcinoma.

UNLABELLED Gastric carcinoma occurs in response to chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa infected with Helicobacter pylori. It is not known how cytokines affect the growth and progression of gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS We measured tissue concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 in gastric carcinoma and investigated the correlation between the levels of these cytokines and clinicopathological features. Biopsy specimens of tumors or adjacent normal mucosa were obtained from 42 Japanese patients with gastric carcinoma. Tissue levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS IL-1beta levels were significantly higher in the neoplasm than in the corresponding normal mucosa. The IL-6 levels in the neoplasm correlated significantly with the depth of invasion and lymphatic invasion. High levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 were characteristic of non-scirrhous type gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSION These results suggest that IL-1beta and IL-6 are involved in the growth and progression of human gastric carcinoma.