Correlation between the plasma levels of interleukin-33 and hepatocellular carcinoma, thermal ablation therapy

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the correlation between the plasma levels of interleukin-33 (IL-33) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), thermal ablation therapy. Methods A total of 30 HCC patients, 25 patients with liver cirrhosis patients and 10 healthy adults admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled. The plasma IL-33 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The plasma IL-33 levels were detected in 22 patients treated with complete ablation in HCC at 1 week postoperatively and 4 weeks postoperatively. The plasma IL-33 levels in HCC group before therapy, LC group and healthy control group were compared, and the dynamic changes of plasma IL-33 levels in HCC patients treated with complete ablation before ablation, week 1 and week 4 after ablation were analyzed. Results Compared with the HCC group, LC group and the healthy control group, the preoperative plasma IL-33 level in HCC group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group [19.08 (12.02-31.91) pg/mL vs (9.62+2.65) pg/mL], the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). There was no significant difference between HCC group and LC group, between LC group and healthy control group (P＞0.05). The plasma IL-33 level in patients with middle and advanced stage (Barcelona clinic liver cancer, BCLC-B/C) was higher than that in patients with early stage (BCLC-0/A) [27.69 (16.06-34.90) pg/ml vs 17.18 (11.16-25.85) pg/mL], the difference was statistically significant (Z=2.031, P=0.043). The level of IL-33 at week 4 after complete ablation was significantly lower than that before treatment and 1 week after the operation [12.02 (9.23, 12.89) pg/mL vs 14.17 (11.16, 22.81) pg/mL, 15.46 (13.74, 18.05) pg/mL], with statistical significant (P=0.029, P<0.001). Conclusion Imbalance of IL-33 expression may be one of the important mechanisms in the development of HCC. Ablation therapy can change IL-33 levels and promote the return of IL-33 to normal.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Thermal ablation therapy, Interleukin-33

GUO Dan-dan, QIN Ling, GAO Weng-feng, YUAN Chun-wang, ZHANG Ying-hua, ZHANG Yong-hong. Correlation between the plasma levels of interleukin-33 and hepatocellular carcinoma, thermal ablation therapy[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2023, 28(6): 665-667.

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