Serum CXCL8 and Its Specific Receptor (CXCR2) in Gastric Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Gastric cancer (GC) is a serious medical problem; thus, there is a need for the improvement of the diagnostic process of GC patients because this malignancy is still detected at a late stage of the disease. It is suggested that selected chemokines such as CXCL8 and its specific receptor CXCR2 are involved in cancer progression, including GC. Therefore, we assessed the serum levels of these proteins in 98 subjects: 64 patients with GC and 34 healthy volunteers. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum CXCL8 and CXCR2 concentrations as biomarkers in the diagnosis and progression of this cancer. Our findings suggest that serum CXCL8 might be used as a potential biomarker in the diagnosis of GC patients, especially in combined assessments with classical tumor markers. Our results indicate the role of the CXCL8/CXCR2 axis as well as the inflammation in the pathogenesis of this malignancy. Moreover, serum CXCL8 was the significant predictor of GC risk. ABSTRACT: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This malignancy is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, novel biomarkers useful in the early detection of GC are sorely needed. Some authors suggest the role of chemokines and their specific receptors in GC pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether serum CXCL8 and its receptor (CXCR2) might be considered as potential candidates for biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of GC. The study included 98 subjects: 64 GC patients and 34 healthy volunteers. CXCL8 and CXCR2 concentrations were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Serum CXCL8 and CXCR2 concentrations were significantly higher in GC patients than in healthy controls, similar to the well-established tumor marker (CA19-9) and marker of inflammation (CRP). Diagnostic sensitivity of CXCL8 was the highest among all proteins tested and increased for the combined assessment with CA19-9. The area under the ROC curve for CXCL8 was higher than those for CXCR2 and classical tumor markers. Serum CXCL8 levels were indicated as a significant risk factor of GC occurrence. Our findings suggest that serum CXCL8 is a promising candidate for a biomarker in GC diagnosis and might be used as a significant predictor of GC risk.