Can't Significant Increase in Cytokines Lead to Future Cancer Diagnosis Based on Genetic Predisposition (IL-8)

[KNBaldwin]

I posted in a different section about a month ago asking for a list if bloodwork, specifically cytokines, for my sister with ME and LC. I got a few responses that there are no biomarkers for ME or LC. I researched and made a list and my sister's doctor agreed to 8 of them. 5 came back abnormal and few of those were significantly abnormal.

She has never had an abnormal bloodtest in 30 years of ME or 4 years of LC with the exception of bloodwork related to hypothyroidism. That's because her doctors only do CBCs. Her doctors have now agreed to some more of the bloodwork I asked for. Technically, she could just go to a lab and get it tested but needs doctor approval for insurance.

Anyways, she has had a full genome done and has a high genetic predisposition to colon cancer and has 1 aunt who had colon cancer. My sister's IL-8 came back more than double the highest range. IL-8 is also a marker of poorer prognosis in certain cancers like colon cancer.

If someone is genetically predisposed to a cancer in which IL-8 is a marker for poor prognosis, would having significantly higher IL-8 levels for years trigger the genetic predisposition and thus, cause or contribute to the development of cancer?

I don't understand why doctors are not doing these basic tests. Are there any medications that reduce IL-8 or other cytokines (IL-2) for patients with a genetic predisposition to cancer?

Thank you!

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

If someone is genetically predisposed to a cancer in which IL-8 is a marker for poor prognosis, would having significantly higher IL-8 levels for years trigger the genetic predisposition and thus, cause or contribute to the development of cancer?

I doubt that anybody knows the answer to that.

I don't understand why doctors are not doing these basic tests. Are there any medications that reduce IL-8 or other cytokines (IL-2) for patients with a genetic predisposition to cancer?

These are not basic tests in the context of ME/CFS because they do not as far as we know provide any reliable prognostic information. There is no general agreement even between research studies about whether ME/CFS is associated with a raised IL-8. The data suggest it might be but they are not consistent enough to be used on patient care.

If a high level of a cytokine is associated with a poor prognosis that in no way indicates that you want to try to reduce the level. The hgh level might be the body's best defence against a more aggressive disease.

I am not in position to give any personal advice but I don't think IL-8 measurements are relevant for people with ME/CFS. People with a high familial risk of colon cancer tend to be advised to have screening tests done more regularly - stool blood, colonoscopy or maybe cancer-related antigen tests. But advice on that should come from a gastroenterologist.

 

[KNBaldwin]

Jonathan, thank you! I just updated my first post from last month and tagged you there. I really appreciate it. I guess I understand that they are not standard for ME or LC but when a doctor runs a CBC every three months and it keeps coming back normal and they just shrug their shoulders, why not fo more testing uf your patient is so incredibly ill.

It is less expensive to runs the tests I asked for than to keep running the same tests every three months for years.

Thank you for the insight that high IL-8 may be the body's defense as opposed to my view that it is the body's error. I am setting her up for a CC screening but she is so sick that doing the prep alone feels like too much and her last colonoscopy triggered a severe ME flare.

Perhaps these abnormal results are indicative to something else going on. I posted more test results and family history in the other thread.

I cannot tell you how incredibly grateful I am for your responses to my posts!

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I guess I understand that they are not standard for ME or LC but when a doctor runs a CBC every three months and it keeps coming back normal and they just shrug their shoulders, why not fo more testing uf your patient is so incredibly ill.

I understand your concern. The problem is to know what tests to do. There are no useful tests for ME/CFS. Tests to pick up other things may well be a good idea but which things do you look for? Doctors are not good at this situation - you are absolutely right there. But the problem is more that nobody has worked out what the sensible thing to do is rather than doctors not doing the obvious.

I don't know what country you are in. In the UK care for ME/CFS has basically gone through the floor without trace. Why that is we spend hours discussing but usual human nature plays a part - laziness, tunnel vision, prejudice, ignorance... Things are different in different countries.