Rasic I, et al. - Given the role of cytokines and other factors in stimulating tumor development and growth, researchers assessed interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) serum levels in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and their correlation with CRC stage. Measurement of serum levels of IL-6, MMP-9, and CRP was carried out in 75 patients with CRC just before surgical treatment, as well as in 20 healthy individuals as controls. Pathological analysis of surgically obtained tissue material was performed. They found that a significant increase in CRP and IL-6 serum concentration was related to increasing stage of CRC, where significantly higher MMP-9 serum level was observed in stages III and IV vs stage II CRC. CRC stage can be independently predicted by serum levels of MMP-9 and CRP. During colorectal carcinogenesis, a reliable index of inflammation-related processes included combined quantification of IL-6, MMP-9, and CRP.