Levels of interleukin-2 in patients with colon cancer and diabetes type 2

Introduction and objective: The risk of development colon cancer (CC) is increased significantly among patients with the type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A mechanism responsible for the higher prevalence of CC among diabetic patients may be associated with the immunity system. The aim of this study is to point out the differences in the immunity state in terms of interleukin 2 level among patients with T2DM suffering from CC, and patients without these diseases Material and Methods: 79 patients were included the tests, divided into 4 groups: Group 1–23 people with T2DM, Group 2–23 people with large intestine CC, Group 3–10 people with large CC and T2DM, and Group 4–23 people without T2DM or CC. Each patient had a colonoscopy and those with cancer were confirmed in a histopathological examination. Laboratory measurements included fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide. The concentration of interleukin-2 in serum was determined with the immunoenzymatic (ELISA) method. Results: The results obtained showed that in patients with T2DM and CC the concentration of interleukin-2 was statistically higher than in the other groups.(4.21±1.61 pg/ml vs. Group 1 -1.64±0.44 pg/ml, Group 2–1.54±0.21 pg/ml, and Group 4–1.70±0.36 pg/ml; p<0.05). Insulin levels, C-peptide and HOMA-IR did not differ significantly between groups, but a tendency was observed to higher values of HOMA-IR and insulin levels in the groups with T2DM alone and T2DM with concomitant CC. Conclusions: The data show differences in the immunity state of patients with T2DM and CC, compared with people without those two diseases. Elevated level of interleukin 2 found in this group, after confirmation in other studies with more patients, could be used as a marker of an increased risk of CC in people with T2DM