High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Cancer
Open Access
- 1 January 2011
- journal article
- Published by Japan Epidemiological Association in Journal of Epidemiology
- Vol. 21 (3), 161-168
- https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.je20100128
Abstract
Background: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a commonly used inflammatory marker. The association between hs-CRP and cancer is less consistent than that between hs-CRP and cardiovascular diseases. This study explored the association between hs-CRP and cancer, using a large database of Korean health examination records. Methods: A total of 80 781 Koreans who visited the health promotion center of a general hospital were included. There were 729 cases of cancer of any primary site during a 3-year period. Subjects with a known cancer or a condition capable of affecting hs-CRP were excluded. Results: Serum hs-CRP was significantly higher in cancer cases (2.9 mg/L) than in non-cases (1.4 mg/L; P < 0.0001). With the lowest hs-CRP category (3 mg/L), and the adjusted ORs for cancer were 1.16 (95% CI = 0.95–1.42) for the second highest category and 1.94 (95% CI = 1.51–2.51) for the highest category. After excluding cancer cases detected within 1 year after the check-up, the associations remained, although the reduced number of cancer cases (n = 88) attenuated the significance of the associations. Conclusions: Serum hs-CRP was positively associated with the risk of cancer, although causality cannot be inferred in this cross-sectional study. The results support the hypothesis that chronic inflammation plays a role in cancer.Keywords
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- Serum CRP and IL-6, genetic variants and risk of colorectal adenoma in a multiethnic populationCancer Causes & Control, 2010
- C-Reactive Protein Levels, Variation in the C-Reactive Protein Gene, and Cancer Risk: The Rotterdam StudyJournal of Clinical Oncology, 2006
- C-reactive protein levels and subsequent cancer outcomes: Results from a prospective cohort studyEuropean Journal Of Cancer, 2006
- A Prospective Study of Serum C-Reactive Protein and Colorectal Cancer Risk in MenCancer Research, 2006
- Plasma C-Reactive Protein and Risk of Cancer: A Prospective Study from GreeceCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2006
- Recent National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Update: Adjustments and OptionsThe American Journal of Cardiology, 2005
- C-Reactive Protein Levels Are Not Associated with Increased Risk for Colorectal Cancer in WomenAnnals of Internal Medicine, 2005
- Serum IL-6, TNFα and CRP levels in Greek colorectal cancer patients: Prognostic implicationsWorld Journal of Gastroenterology, 2005
- Gender difference in C-reactive protein concentrations in individuals with atherothrombotic risk factors and apparently healthy onesBiomarkers, 2004
- Inflammation and cancerNature, 2002