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High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cancer
Seounghee Lee1, Jae-Won Choe, Hong-Kyu Kim
1Health Promotion Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Journal of Epidemiology
|March 4, 2011
Summary
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is linked to increased cancer risk. This study in Koreans suggests chronic inflammation may play a role in cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Inflammation Research
- Biomarker Analysis
Background:
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a key inflammatory marker.
- Its association with cancer risk is less established than with cardiovascular disease.
- Investigating hs-CRP's role in cancer is crucial for understanding disease etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between hs-CRP levels and cancer risk.
- Utilizing a large-scale Korean health examination database.
- To investigate the potential link between chronic inflammation and cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 80,781 Korean individuals' health examination records.
- Inclusion of 729 cancer cases over a 3-year period.
- Exclusion of subjects with pre-existing cancer or conditions affecting hs-CRP.
Main Results:
- Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in cancer cases (2.9 mg/L) versus non-cases (1.4 mg/L).
- Elevated hs-CRP (1-3 mg/L and >3 mg/L) showed increased crude and adjusted odds ratios for cancer.
- Associations persisted even after excluding early-detected cancers, though significance was reduced.
Conclusions:
- Serum hs-CRP is positively associated with cancer risk.
- Causality cannot be established due to the cross-sectional study design.
- Findings support the hypothesis that chronic inflammation contributes to cancer development.
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