High plasma sST2 levels in gastric cancer and their association with metastatic disease.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and devastating tumor conditions. Its development is closely linked to an infection with Helicobacter pylori and chronic, cytokine-driven inflammation. The proinflammatory cytokine Interleukin-33 (IL-33), its membrane bound cellular receptor ST2L and its soluble receptor sST2 have recently been identified as important factors in various tumor conditions, but their role in GC remains ill-defined.

High Serum Levels of the Interleukin-33 Receptor Soluble ST2 as a Negative Prognostic Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant liver tumor, usually arises in the setting of liver cirrhosis (LC), and has a poor prognosis. The recently discovered Th2-cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a possible mediator in pancreatic and gastric carcinogeneses. IL-33 binds to its receptor and to soluble ST2 (sST2), which thereby acts as a regulator.