Inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors as potential biomarkers in South African pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients: A preliminary report

Background/Objectives: Several studies have investigated the association of differentially expressed cytokines with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but none in African countries. This study aimed at investigating T-helper (Th) cell and angiogenic markers as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for PDAC in Black South Africans. Methods: We conducted a prospective, case-control study comprising of 34 PDAC patients and 27 control participants with either critical limb ischemia, abdominal aortic aneurysm or other abdominal pathology from causes other than pancreatic disease. Plasma levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IFN-gamma, IL-17A, VEGF, sVEGF-R1, FGF, PIGF, PDGF and P-selectin were measured using commercially available cytometric bead array, ELISA and multi-analyte Luminex kits. Results: Significantly higher levels of IFN-gamma (p < 0.001), TNF (p < 0.001), IL-2 (p = 0.001), IL-4 (p < 0.01), IL-10 (p < 0.01), IL-17A (p < 0.01), P1GF (p < 0.0001) and basic FGF (p < 0.0001) were found in cases compared to control participants. PDAC patients with irresectable tumours had higher levels of VEGF (p = 0.02) and IL-6 (p = 0.01). A univariate analysis showed significant associations between IFN-gamma, TNF, IL-10,-4,-2, basic FGF, P1GF and PDAC. In a multivariate logistic regression model, basic FGF (p = 0.002) and P1GF (p = 0.007) were independent risk factors for PDAC with a combined sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 100%. Conclusion: Our preliminary data suggests a potential role for basic FGF and P1GF as diagnostic, and VEGF and IL-6 as prognostic biomarkers of PDAC in Black South African patients. (C) 2017 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.