[Interleukin 18 expression in colon cancer and adenoma].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of interleukin 18 in mucosa of colon cancer and adenoma. METHODS: Expression of interleukin 18 was measured with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The expression rates of IL-18 in colon cancer, adenoma and relative normal mucosa were 78.8%, 100% and 100%, respectively (P > 0.05). In the case of colon cancer, the higher the cancer was differentiated, the higher the IL-18 expression level was observed (P < 0.05). In the case of colon adenoma, no significant relation was noted between the grade of dysplasia and the expression of IL-18 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In colon adenoma, all mucosae express IL-18. But in colon cancer, IL-18 expression is decreased or absent, and the lower the cancer is differentiated, the lower will be the level of IL-18 expression in epithelium.