Serum response of hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-I, interleukin-6, and acute phase proteins in patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with partial hepatectomy or cryosurgery

Background/Aims: The aim of the study was to compare the serum response of regeneration factors and acute phase proteins in patients treated with part ial hepatectomy or cryosurgery. Methods: The responses of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-lik e growth factor-I (IGF-I) (free and total), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the ac ute phase proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were examined in patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with partial hepatectomy (n = 14) or cryosurgery (n = 10). Results: In both groups, IL-6 peak levels at the end of the operation were followed by peak levels at day 1 for HGF and CRP. SAA peak levels occurred on day 1 (hepatectomy group) and on day 4 (cryo group). The total HGF, IGF- I, and IL-6 responses were comparable in both groups. CRP and SAA responses were higher in the patients treated with cryosurgery than in patients afte r hepatectomy. Free IGF-I trough levels were lower in partial hepatectomy p atients than in cryosurgery patients. Conclusions: In patients with colorectal liver metastases the responses of the regenerating factors HGF, IGF-I, and IL-6 are comparable to those in pa tients treated with partial hepatectomy. Upregulation of acute phase protei n production is higher in patients after cryosurgery than in patients after partial hepatectomy. (C) 2001 European Association for the Study of the Li ver. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.