CXCL8 and neoplasm: Moreover, higher expression of IL-8 mRNA in CRC was associated with more advanced stages of CRC (P < 0.05) but not with tumor grade (P > 0.05), in that CRC patients who showed high IL-8 mRNA expression (scores 2-3) were 3/8 (37.5%) of stage B, 6/12 (50%) of stage C, and 24/30 (80%) of stage D.