ABSTRACT
Interleukin 10 is an immune regulatory and immunomodulating cytokine, in this study serum IL-10 levels were measured in 44 Syrian patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma [Hodgkin's disease, non Hodgkin's lymphoma] to determine the significance of pre-treatment IL-10 levels. In our attempting to further elucidate the immunological state of lymphoma patients, serum interferon gamma [IFN-GAMMA] [the immune stimulating cytokine] levels were determined. Pre treatment serum IL-10 were measured and patients were followed-up for at least one year, at the end of the study, the significance of basal serum IL-10 levels, and its independence from other prognostic factors were determined. Pre treatment serum IFN-GAMMA were calibrated, and the correlation between IL-10 levels and IFN-GAMMA levels was examined. Serum IL-10 were significantly higher in patients compared with healthy controls [p=0.002], basal IL-10 values were found significantly higher in non responders compared with responders in retrospective analysis [univariate analysis] p=0.008 in both Hodgkin's disease patients [p=0.013], non Hodgkin's lymphoma patients [p=0.004]. Moreover this prognostic value was found to be independent from other prognostic factors, tumour stage [p=0.13], clinical symptoms [p=0.49], [multivariate analysis MANOVA test]. The correlation between IL-10 and IFN-GAMMA in pre treatment lymphoma patients was [r=0.54], and it was stronger in Hodgkin's patients [r=0.93], than non Hodgkin's lymphoma patients group [r=0.53]. the results of the current study show that measurement of pre treatment serum IL-10 levels is of independent prognostic utility in patients with Hodgkin's disease, and some non Hodgkin's lymphoma types