AccScience Publishing / CP / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/CP025060009
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Comprehensive serum profiling in colorectal cancer: Evidence from a South Indian case–control study

Mohd Younis1,2,3* ,  Amrit Sudershan2,4 ,  Arizoo Hamid5 ,  Ashma Gupta6 ,  Parvinder Kumar2,3 ,  Vijaya Anand1*
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1 Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
3 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
4 Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Sri Pratap College, Cluster University Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
5 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
6 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government Degree College Bishnah, Jammu and Kashmir, India
CP, 025060009 https://doi.org/10.36922/CP025060009
Received: 8 February 2025 | Revised: 11 April 2025 | Accepted: 15 April 2025 | Published online: 2 July 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been associated with metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation, particularly in lipid and glucose metabolism. This study investigates the role of serum lipids and biochemical markers as potential biomarkers for CRC in the South Indian population. A case–control observational study was conducted involving 65 CRC patients and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants were selected based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, ensuring the elimination of confounding factors such as other malignancies or chronic conditions. Blood samples were analyzed for lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and other biochemical parameters using enzyme immunoassay kits. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate differences between groups, with a p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Significant elevations in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and the TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and LDL/HDL ratios were observed in CRC patients compared to controls. The observed high hs-CRP levels indicate the heightened inflammatory state in CRC. The levels of triglycerides, HDL, and very-LDL showed no significant differences, although trends of elevated uric acid and urea levels in CRC patients were noted. Blood glucose levels were significantly higher in CRC patients, suggesting possible disruptions in glucose metabolism. Liver and renal function markers remained within comparable ranges across both groups. The study highlights dysregulated lipid and glucose metabolism and increased inflammatory markers in CRC patients from the South Indian population. Elevated LDL, TC, and hs-CRP may serve as potential biomarkers for early detection and risk assessment in CRC. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring lipid and glucose profiles in CRC patients and pave the way for further research into their role in CRC pathogenesis and progression.

Keywords
Cholesterol biomarkers
Colorectal cancer
Inflammatory markers
Lipid profile
Metabolic dysregulation
Funding
This study was supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence program. Funding was provided through the Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India (Grant number: BU/DST PURSE-II/008/2017).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
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Cancer Plus, Electronic ISSN: 2661-3840 Print ISSN: 2661-3832, Published by AccScience Publishing
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