DETERMINATION OF IL6, IL1, AND IL4 IN THE PLASMA OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

Interleukin 6 (IL6) plasma levels were measured in 63 patients with mu ltiple myeloma and 8 individuals with benign monoclonal gammopathy. 15 of these 71 samples showed by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (E LISA) detectable levels that ranged from 5 to 107 pg of IL6/ml. The IL 6 levels of patients with multiple myeloma did not differ significantl y from those of normal individuals (N = 25, range 5-27 pg IL6/ml) (Stu dent's t-test, p = 0.295). The samples were negative for IL4; 3 were f ound positive for IL1 beta. A correlation between IL6, IL4 and IL1 bet a levels and disease status was not observed for this group of patient s.