Cytokines pattern after surgical radiofrequency ablation of liver colorectal metastases

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum pattern of cytokines evolution after surgical radiofrequency ablation (SRFA) of colorectal metastases.METHODS: Metastases of ten non consecutive patients were destroyed by radiofrequency ablation without concomitant resection after a complete surgical procedure including a laparotomy, a peritoneal examination, liver mobilisation and liver ultrasound. Serum levels of IL-6, TNFalpha, HGF, VEGF, bFGF, TGFbeta1 and CRP were assessed by ELISA assays at different time points.RESULTS: TNFalpha and bFGF remained undetectable. IL-6 peaked at 3 hours and remained elevated during the entire study period. HGF increased by three-fold by Day 1 then decreased until Day 7 where it was still twice its baseline level. VEGF level increased from Day 5 onward. TGFbeta1 did not show significant variations. CRP was increased throughout the study.CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with cryotherapy, SRFA does not lead to high serum TNFalpha suggesting a better tolerance. Nevertheless high IL-6, HGF and VEGF serum levels are characteristic of a general inflammatory stress which should be taken into account.