SOLUBLE INTERCELLULAR-ADHESION MOLECULE-1 IN COLORECTAL-CANCER AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ACUTE-PHASE PROTEINS

Increased concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) have been reported in a number of diseases including cancer. This study was undertaken to evaluate soluble ICAM-1 in colorectal can cer and its relationship to an unspecific acute phase response. Fifty six patients (25 with advanced colorectal cancer and 31 out-patients a fter radical surgical treatment) were included. Soluble ICAM-1 was mea sured by enzyme immunoassay. Four acute phase proteins (C-reactive pro tein, acid alpha(1)-glycoprotein, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin) were estimated by immuno-nephelometry. No significant increase of soluble I CAM-1 could be demonstrated in the patients compared to a control grou p (median 273 ng/ml vs. 270 ng/ml). Furthermore, patients with advance d colorectal cancer did not demonstrate elevated soluble ICAM-1 compar ed to follow-up out-patients. Patients with present acute phase respon se as determined by C-reactive protein were shown to have increased so luble ICAM-1 compared to patients without acute phase reaction. Using other acute phase proteins no difference for soluble ICAM-1 has been s hown. Our data suggest an association between acute phase response and increased ICAM-1 in patients with colorectal cancer which should be c onsidered when the diagnostic and/or prognostic usefulness of soluble ICAM-1 is to be evaluated.