Clinical correlates of elevated serum levels of interleukin-6 in patients with untreated Hodgkin's disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine that may have pathogenetic significance in several malignancies. In addition, high IL-6 levels have been associated with a poor prognosis in multiple myeloma, nonHodgkin's lymphoma, ovarian cancer, and renal cancer, as well in advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this study, we analyzed IL-6 levels in newly diagnosed Hodgkin's disease and determined clinical correlates of elevated levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (lower limit of sensitivity = 0.35 pg/mL) we measured IL-6 levels in sera from 33 healthy controls and 65 untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease. RESULTS: Interleuki..