To investigate the potential use of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) as a marker for the surgical course following surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients with advanced CRC undergoing open colorectal surgery who did not develop postsurgical complications were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week and 3 weeks after surgery for the measurement of the white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and HMGB1.

Data from 21 patients were analysed. HMGB1 levels changed significantly during the surgical course, increasing from a preoperative median of 6.8 ng/ml to 12.1 ng/ml at 1 day postoperatively, and then decreasing to 8.1 ng/ml at 1 week postoperatively and 4.0 ng/ml at 3 weeks postoperatively. These changes were similar to but were not completely correlated with the changes seen in the other markers.

Serum HMGB1 may be a potential marker to monitor the surgical course in patients undergoing surgery for CRC, although further studies are warranted before it can be introduced into routine clinical practice.