Dynamic changes of serum cytokines and their prognostic values in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by thermal ablation

Abstract Background Thermal ablation is effective for early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It can induce a host immune response through dynamic changes in serum cytokines. It is unknown whether this host immune response correlates with tumour recurrence. This prospective study aims to investigate the dynamic changes of serum cytokines after thermal ablation of HCC and its clinical significance. Methods Sixty patients with HCC treated by thermal ablation were recruited. The dynamic changes of 39 serum cytokines were measured. The primary outcome was 2‐year disease‐free survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors for disease‐free survival. Results Six cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐1, IL‐6, IL‐10, epidermal growth factor (EGF), eotaxin, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐α] demonstrated significant dynamic changes after thermal ablation. The overall tumour recurrence rate was positively correlated with the dynamic changes in serum IL‐6 and IL‐10 levels. The 2‐year disease‐free survival was 49.7%. Serum bilirubin (≥25 μmol/L) and dynamic change of serum IL‐10 (≥22 IU/mL) levels were the significant independent prognostic factors for disease‐free survival. Conclusion There are significant dynamic changes in serum cytokines after thermal ablation. High serum bilirubin and upregulation of serum IL‐10 levels are independent poor prognostic factors for tumour recurrence after thermal ablation.