Interleukin-18 in multiple myeloma patients: serum levels in relation to response to treatment and survival

Alexandrakis, M.G; Passam, F.H; Sfiridaki, K; Moschandrea, J; Pappa, C; Liapi, D; Petreli, E; Roussou, P; Kyriakou, D.S

doi:10.1016/S0145-2126(03)00261-3

« Previous Next »Leukemia Research
Volume 28, Issue 3 , Pages 259-266, March 2004

Interleukin-18 in multiple myeloma patients: serum levels in relation to response to treatment and survival

M.G Alexandrakis
- Division of Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, P.O. Box 1352, Crete, Greece
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +30-2810-392425; fax: +30-2810-244883.
F.H Passam
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Unit, Sotiria Hospital, Medical School of Athens, Athens, Greece
K Sfiridaki
- Hematology Unit, Venizelion General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
J Moschandrea
- Department of Social & Environmental Medicine, Medical School of Crete, Crete, Greece
C Pappa
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Crete, Greece
D Liapi
- Hematology Unit, Venizelion General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
E Petreli
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Unit, Sotiria Hospital, Medical School of Athens, Athens, Greece
P Roussou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Unit, Sotiria Hospital, Medical School of Athens, Athens, Greece
D.S Kyriakou
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Larisa, Medical School of Thessalia, Thessalia, Greece

Received 5 March 2003; accepted 14 July 2003.

Abstract

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays a role in the host’s response to tumours and angiogenesis.

We determined serum levels of IL-18, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin (ANG), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and CRP in 65 newly diagnosed myeloma patients. IL-18, VEGF, angiogenin, TNF-α and CRP were significantly higher at stage III in comparison to stages II and I. These cytokines (measured in 27 patients) significantly decreased after treatment. In survival analysis, higher levels of IL-18 were associated with a poorer prognosis. We conclude that increased serum IL-18 in myeloma patients correlates with advanced disease, increased levels of angiogenic cytokines and worse survival.

Keywords: Interleukin-18, Multiple myeloma, Angiogenesis, Proinflammatory cytokines