EFFECTS OF ALPHA-INTERFERON AND STEROIDS ON CD23 EXPRESSION AND RELEASE IN B-CELL CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA

Background. Since high CD23 expression and release have been reported in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), we investigated whether alp ha-interferon or corticosteroids were able to modulate the expression and/or the release of this factor. Methods. CD23 expression was determ ined with FITC-labelled anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody, and sCD23 relea se with a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Twenty-one patients affected by B-CLL (stage A or B) were studied before and after three different tr eatment regimens (alpha-interferon, corticosteroids, alpha-interferon + corticosteroids). Results. CD23 was highly expressed in the B-cells of all patients, and expression was not modified by any of the therapi es. sCD23 release from leukemic cells was significantly greater (p<0.0 0001) in untreated subjects than controls, and in vitro treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) led to a 10-fold increase (p<0.0001) in sCD23 secretion. On the contrary, PIMA did not increase sCD23 relea se in normal B cells. Treatment with corticosteroids (either alone or associated with alpha-interferon) reduced sCD23 secretion from leukemi c cells, whereas alpha-interferon alone was not able to modify sCD23 r elease. Conclusions. Our data support the hypothesis that CD23 plays a role in the maintenance and progression of B-CU and that the pharmaco logical modulation of this receptor/lymphokine could be useful in the therapy of B-CU.