The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 3 Serum Levels in Some Iraqi Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background:    The second leading cause of cancer-related death globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the malignant neoplasm with the third highest diagnosis rate. It is the primary cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in Iraq and ranks second in terms of frequency of death after cardiovascular disorders. An inflammatory cytokine called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a critical role in the immune response and may contribute to CRC development. Patients with CRC who had elevated serum levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) had a worse prognosis than those who had low levels of this chemokine.
Objective:    To evaluate the role of TNF-α and CCL3 in CRC patients by assessing the serum level estimation of TNF-α and CCL3 in addition to the demographic data analysis.
Methods:    The study has been approved by the College of Medicine, Al-Iraqia University and included 100 samples from male and female patients from the Medical City, Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City, Al-Amal Hospital, and also from Al-Bilad Private Hospital suffering from problems in the colon and rectum. The study lasted for five months (from November 2023 until March 2024). The participants were divided into 2 groups: the 1st one contained CRC patients, while the 2nd contained colorectal problems other than CRC. Five ml of blood was taken from each participant for estimation of TNF-α and CCL3 serum level by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic data were collected from the study participants (such as age, gender, address, and medical history). Ten samples were discarded due to hemolysis. 
Results:    The serum levels of TNF-α and CCL3 in CRC patients showed a higher significant difference (P <0.05) compared with the 2nd group.
Conclusion:    TNF-α and CCL3 significantly appeared as indicators for the progression of CRC cancers.
Keywords:    TNF-α, CCL3, colorectal cancer
Citation:    Abdulhamid AQ, Abdullah AR. The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 serum levels in some Iraqi colorectal cancer patients. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(2): 237-245. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.2.6