Serum interleukin-10 levels are an independent prognostic factor for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma

Background and Objectives, Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic cytokine which increases bcl-2 levels and protects cells from steroid or doxorubici n-induced apoptosis. Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells bear functional IL-10 receptors, Thus serum IL-10 (sIL-10) might inhibit apoptosis in HRS cells, which could occur as a result of either chemotherapy or the crippled immunoglobulin genes. Design and Methods. We determined sIL-10 levels in 122 patients with Hodgki n's lymphoma (HL), treated with ABVD or equivalent regimens with or without radiotherapy, and correlated them with presenting clinical and laboratory features, as well as failure-free survival (FFS) and overall survival. Results. Elevated sIL-10 revels (greater than or equal to 10pg/mL) were det ected in 55 patients (45%), and were correlated with advanced stage and ele vated serum beta (2)-microglobulin levels. At 7 years FFS was 85% vs. 63% f or patients with normal vs, elevated sIL-10 levels, respectively (p=0.01); overall survival was 97% vs. 73% (p=0.005), Multivariate analysis with Cox' s proportional hazards model demonstrated that elevated sIL-10 levels were the strongest independent predictor of FFS, and were also associated with i nferior overall survival. Interpretation and Conclusions. We conclude that sIL-10 revels are elevated in 45% of patients with HL, and are associated with inferior FFS and overa ll survival, independently of other established prognostic factors. (C) 200 1, Ferrata Storti Foundation.