12 research outputs found
Clinical significance of circulating endothelial adhesion molecules (sE-selectin and sICAM) in untreated multiple myeloma patients
Background: The expression of adhesion molecules is important for the
interaction of myeloma cells with the bone marrow microenvironment. In
the current study, serum soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and
sE-selectin) were measured in untreated multiple myeloma (MM) patients
in relation with other markers of disease activity. Materials and
methods: The study group consisted of 67 patients with MM (classified
according to the Durie-Salmon classification) and 15 controls.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6), sICAM-1 and sE-selectin concentrations were
determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition,
the monoclonal protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and
hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were also determined. Results: Serum
sICAM-1 level increased significantly at advanced stages of MM and was
higher in comparison to controls (p<0.01). sE-selectin increased
significantly with advancing stage of the disease, but did not differ
from controls. IL-6, ESR and M-component were significantly higher and
Hb concentrations lower with advancing stage of disease. There was a
positive correlation of IL-6 with sICAM-1 and sE-selectin. Conclusions:
We conclude that serum sICAM-1 differs in multiple myeloma patients from
normals and together with sE-selectin increase in parallel to increasing
stage of disease, which may reflect a dysregulation and possible
involvement of these adhesion molecules in myeloma progression. (C) 2004
Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Upregulation of Th1 cytokine profile (IL-12, IL-18) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis, a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, is characterized by a predominanty Th1 cytokine milieu, which is involved in its immunopathogenesis. The role of novel immunologic markers reflecting T cell activity of the sarcoid immunologic response needs to be determined. The present study aims to evaluate the role of the Th1 cytokine pattern by estimating the local and systemic levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-18 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), induced sputum, and serum of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. We studied prospectively 20 patients (12 women, 8 men) of median age 46 years (range 25-65) with sarcoidosis and 10 normal subjects (5 women, 5 men) of median age 39 years (range 26-60). IL-12 and IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA kits. The IL-12 BALF levels were significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients than in healthy subjects (5.64 ± 0.21 pg/mL vs. 5.16 ± 0.15 pg/mL, p < 0.001). In addition, IL-18 levels were significantly increased in BALF samples (47.69 ± 6.29 pg/mL vs. 16.73 ± 3.00 pg/mL, p < 0.001). A statistically significant decrease in IL-12 serum levels was detected in the sarcoid population compared with controls (5.77 ± 0.50 pg/mL vs. 7.87 ± 2.00 pg/mL, p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected in IL-12 and IL-18 levels between patients and controls in induced sputum samples. Our data suggest a potential role of IL-12 and IL-18 in the local immunologic response in pulmonary sarcoidosis. Further large-scale studies are needed to define the precise role of IL-12 and IL-18 in the immunopathogenesis of this disorder. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
Relation between bone marrow angiogenesis and serum levels of angiogenin in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Angiogenesis is implicated in the progression of myelodysplastic
syndromes (MDS). Bone marrow microvascular density (MVD), serum
angiogenin (ANG) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured in 67 patients
with untreated MDS. MVD, ANG and IL-6 were significantly higher in the
patient group as a whole when compared to controls (P < 0.01). MVD and
ANG were significantly higher in subtypes with a high-risk for leukemic
transformation (RAEB, RAEB-t and CMML) than in low-risk subtypes (RA and
RARS) (P < 0.01). In the MDS group, a positive correlation was found
between ANG and IL-6 (P < 0.001) and also between MVD and IL-6 (P <
0.05). Using multivariate analysis, only IL-6 displayed independent
prognostic value and was inversely related to MDS survival. (C) 2004
Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Interleukin-18 in multiple myeloma patients: serum levels in relation to response to treatment and survival
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-alpha) and CRP in 65 newly diagnosed myeloma patients.
IL-18, VEGF, angiogenin, TNF-alpha and CRP were significantly higher at
stage III in comparison to stages 11 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. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved
Angiogenesis-Related Cytokines, RANKL, and Osteoprotegerin in Multiple Myeloma Patients in relation to Clinical Features and Response to Treatment
An essential cytokine system for the osteoclast biology in multiple myeloma (MM) consists of the receptor of activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), its receptor (RANK), and the soluble decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG). Myeloma cells cause imbalance in OPG/RANKL interactions. We measured serum levels of OPG, soluble (s) RANKL, sRANKL/OPG ratio, markers of disease activity [LDH, CRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6), β2-microglobulin (B2M)], and angiogenic factors [hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], in 54 newly diagnosed MM patients and in 25 of them in plateau phase. All the above values were higher in MM patients compared to controls and decreased in plateau phase. sRANKL and RANKL/OPG were higher with advancing disease stage and skeletal grade. Significant correlations were found among RANKL and RANKL/OPG with HGF, LDH, VEGF, IL-6, and B2M. In conclusion, RANKL and OPG play significant roles in MM pathophysiology, as regulators of bone turnover and mediators of angiogenesis