The kinetics of circulating cytokines including IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-8 and IL-10 following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNF alpha and IL-8) and antiinflammatory (IL-10) cy tokines were determined in weekly samples from 52 patients undergoing allog eneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). IL-6 increased immedi ately after transplant peaking at week +3, but IL-8 concentrations were ele vated only during week +1. After a slight decrease in week +1, TNF-alpha si gnificantly increased from week +2 and peaked at week +3, whereas, IL-10 va lues started to rise in week +2 and peaked during week +4. IL-6 and TNF-alp ha were positively correlated from week +2 to week +4, and IL-6 levels at w eek +1 were related with fever and severe stomatitis. Serum levels of IL-6 at week +1 and IL-10 at week +4 were significantly higher in patients with early transplant-related complications, such as fever, severe stomatitis or acute GVHD greater than or equal to overall grade II than in those without the complications. We conclude that a high serum IL-6 level at week +1 may be an early predictor of transplant-related complications and that it seem s to trigger pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine release. Kinetic patterns of IL-6 and IL-10 were more exaggerated in those with complications after H SCT.