STUDY OF SERUM HEPCIDIN LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO TUMOR PROGRESSION

Lara Khalil* and Rama Ibrahim

ABSTRACT

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer is rising worldwide. Several experimental studies have clarified the role of hepcidin as a new reliable marker that helps to predict colorectal cancer development and prognosis. Here we report our evaluation of hepcidin levels in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, study the significance of hepcidin levels as a marker for tumor progression and its correlation with the relapse in colorectal cancer. Objectives: Comparing hepcidin levels between healthy controls and colorectal cancer patients, studying the relationship between hepcidin levels and tumor stage in addition to evaluating its role as prognostic marker of colorectal cancer. Materials and methods: Our study included 39 patients admitted to Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia and diagnosed with colorectal cancer. blood samples were collected before undergoing any type of treatment. Hepcidin levels in the study group were measured and compared to hepcidin values in the healthy control group comprising 12 patients. Results: Hepcidin levels were elevated in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls (p-value˂ 0.05), with a significant difference between hepcidin levels in colorectal cancer patients according to the stage of the tumor (p- value˂ 0.05).

Keywords: Hepcidin, Colorectal cancer, Relapse, Prognostic marker, Oncology.