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CCL2: A Pro-Inflammatory Driver and Candidate Diagnostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Carmela Nardelli1,2, Marcella Nunziato1,2, Federica Di Maggio1,2
1Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Elevated levels of the inflammatory mediator CCL2 (chemokine C-C motif ligand 2) show promise as a diagnostic marker for colorectal cancer (CRC). This finding confirms a chronic inflammatory profile associated with CRC development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chronic inflammation and immune remodeling are integral to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression.
- The chemokine CCL2 is implicated in recruiting monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages, suggesting its role in CRC-associated inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of circulating inflammatory mediators, including CCL2, in patients with colorectal cancer.
- To assess the association between inflammatory mediator levels and CRC, considering sex and BMI.
Main Methods:
- Plasma cytokine levels were measured in 52 CRC patients and 44 healthy controls using the ProteinSimple Ella microfluidic immunoassay.
- Nine circulating inflammatory mediators, including CCL2 and IL-6, were analyzed.
- Data were stratified by sex and BMI category (normal vs. overweight/obese).
Main Results:
- Patients with CRC exhibited significantly higher plasma levels of CCL2 and IL-6 compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001).
- CCL2 demonstrated strong exploratory diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.918, 90.4% sensitivity, and 90.9% specificity.
- The elevated levels of CCL2 and IL-6 were consistent across different genders and BMI categories.
Conclusions:
- CCL2 is a significant indicator of systemic chronic inflammation linked to colorectal cancer.
- CCL2 emerges as a promising candidate biomarker for the early detection and monitoring of CRC.
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