TNF-ALPHA, IL-1-BETA AND IL-6 PLASMA-LEVELS IN NEUTROPENIC PATIENTS AFTER ONSET OF FEVER AND CORRELATION WITH THE C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP) KINETIC VALUES

Cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interle ukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play an important ro le in the genesis and progression of the septic shock syndrome. We per formed a study monitoring levels of these three cytokines in ten neutr openic oncology patients in whom an infectious syndrome was suspected. A comparison was made with a population of nine non-neutropenic patie nts on the intensive care unit. Unfortunately the results of this stud y do not allow specific profiles to be established for each cytokine i n the populations studied. Levels of IL-6, TNF alpha and IL-1 beta wer e not statistically higher in the non-neutropenic patients when compar ed with the neutropenic group. However, the highest IL-6 levels were o bserved for four non-neutropenic patients, three of whom died. High le vels of C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin and fibrinogen were foun d, reflecting the inflammatory status of each patient. CRP levels were higher in the non-neutropenic patients and correlated with IL-6 level s, indicating the importance of CRP determination in this group of pat ients.