Serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor, IL-12, IL-18, and IFN-gamma in patients with acute graft-versus-best disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Background: Acute graft-versus-host disease still represents the major fact or that limits successful allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Cytokines released by type 1 T-helper cells are thought to play a pivotal role in ac ute graft-versus-host disease. Objective: This study was performed to investigate whether the serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor, IL-12, IL-18, and IFN-gamma were associated with the manifestation of acute graft-versus-host disease. Methods: Serum cytokine levels were measured by sandwich ELISA in 18 patien ts who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Results: Serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor, IL-12, IL-18, and IFN-gamma were increased in patients in whom acute graft-versus-host disease develop ed. However, only serum soluble IL-2 receptor levels were significantly rel ated to disease severity. Serum levels of IL-12 and IL-18, both of which ar e mainly produced by activated macrophages, were increased in different pha ses of acute graft-versus-host disease, especially grade I. Serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor and IFN-gamma were significantly elevated in patient s with fever. Conclusion: Serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor were more closely related to the severity of acute graft-versus-host disease than those of IL-12, IL -18, and IFN-gamma.