PRODUCTION AND EFFECTS OF INTERLEUKIN-6 AND OTHER CYTOKINES IN PATIENTS WITH NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Cytokines are regulatory molecules that are produced by a variety of c ell types and are characterized by numerous biologic functions involve d in the regulation of the immune system and hematopoiesis. This revie w summarizes the functions and regulation of cytokines in lymphomas an d discusses the effect of a specific cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6). i n B-cell lymphomas. IL-6 is a multipotent cytokine that can mediate th e differentiation of B-cells into immunoglobulin-secreting cells, stim ulate the autocrine or paracrine growth of myeloma cells, induce acute -phase proteins in liver cells, and may influence the pathogenesis of several diseases by autocrine or paracrine mechanisms. Patients with n on-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) have increased serum concentrations of IL- 6; increased IL-6 levels can be associated with the presence of B-symp toms. Data presented in this review indicate that neoplastic cells fro m patients with NHL contained high concentrations of IL-6. Thus, eleva ted serum levels of IL-6 appear to originate from the lymphoma cells i n patients with B-cell NHL, suggesting that the neoplastic cells may m odulate the general status of patients with B-cell NHL. The inhibition or modification of the production of IL-6 in lymphoma cells may lead to a more effective control of the general status of patients with B-c ell NHL.