Evaluation of serum procalcitonin and interleukin-6 levels as markers of liver metastasis

Objectives: Procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are established markers of tissue inflammation and injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation of PCT and IL-6 with liver metastasis. Design and methods: The study consisted of fifteen healthy controls (group A), twenty-one patients with solid tumors without metastases (group B), eleven patients with liver metastasis only (group C) and eleven patients with generalized metastatic disease (group D). Results: Serum PCT levels were significantly increased in group D compared to groups A (p < 0.001) and B (p = 0.004), but no difference was observed in PCT levels between groups C and B or C and D. IL-6 serum levels were markedly elevated in group C compared to group A (p < 0.001) or to groups B (p < 0.001) and D (p = 0.02). A positive correlation was observed between PCT and IL-6 serum levels (r = 0.357, p = 0.019). Conclusions: PCT levels are related to disease stage in cancer patients, whereas IL-6 concentration seems to be a more specific marker of liver metastasis.