The present results indicate significantly elevated serum levels of a panel of nine cytokines, particularly inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-1Rα, chemokine MIP-1α and MIP-1β screened from 27 cytokines, in CE patients with active cysts compared with those in the normal controls, and significantly increased specific antibody response including total IgG, IgG4 and IgG1, in CE patients with active and transitional cysts in comparison with the controls. This evidence concerns the gene CCL3 and cholesteryl ester measurement.