SERUM CYTOKINE LEVELS CORRELATE WITH CLINICAL-PARAMETERS IN HODGKINS-DISEASE

Background: It has been suggested that cytokines are involved in the p athogenesis of Hodgkin's disease. Enhanced expression of various cytok ines has been demonstrated in cell lines and biopsy specimens from pat ients with Hodgkin's disease (HD). Patients and methods: In this inves tigation 14 cytokines were analysed by ELISA in sera of a large panel of patients with HD and compared with clinical and serological paramet ers. Results: Increased levels of soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2R), IL- 6, IL-7, IL-8 and G-CSF, were found in many patients with HD as oppose d to healthy individuals. In contrast, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL -3, IL-4, TNF alpha, TNF beta and GM-CSF were rarely detectable. Serum concentrations of sIL-2R, IL-6 and IL-7 were significantly correlated with advanced stage of KD and, together with G-CSF levels, with the p resence of B-symptoms. In addition, elevated cytokines correlated with several laboratory parameters. In the majority of patients the serum levels of cytokines decreased after therapy. However, elevated cytokin e levels persisted in some patients in complete remission. Patients wi th normal IL-6 levels had better event-free survivals than patients wi th elevated IL-6 levels but this difference has not reached significan ce. Conclusion: Our results indicate that enhanced levels of sIL-2R, I L-6, IL-7, IL-8 and G-CSF, are correlated with disease activity and cl inical symptoms in HD.