Interferon gamma [IFN-gamma] production in malignant lymphomas before and after treatment

ABSTRACT

Homan interferon-gamma [IFN- gamma] is an important immunomodulatory protein produced predominantly by T-cells. This study investigated the relation between serum level of IFN-gamma and different clinical stages and pathological types of Hodgkin's disease [HD] and Non-Hodgkin' Lymphoma [NHL] patients before and after treatment. The serum level of IFN- gamma was estimated in a total of 18 patients with NHL and 20 with HD, as well as 24 healthy individuals of matched age and sex. There was a statistically significant decrease in IFN-gamma production in untreated NHL and HD patients regardless of their clinical stages or pathological types as compared to the control group. The level of IFN- gamma in patients with NHL was significantly decreased in clinical stages III and IV as compared to clinical stages I and II. Moreover, the lowest production of IFN- gamma was encountered in high pathological grades as compared to low and intermediate grades. Also, there was a significant decrease in the IFN- gamma production in HD patients with late clinical stages III and IV and advanced pathological types [mixed cellularity and lymphocytic depletion] than in patients with early clinical stages I and II and pathological types [lymphocytic predominance and nodular sclerosis]. Effective chemo- or radio-therapy increased the serum level of IFN- gamma significantly. The results point out to the significance of measuring the serum level of IFN- gamma in NHL and HD patients for monitoring the response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy and the possible clinical use of IFN- gamma as an immunopotentiating agent in the treatment of malignant lymphomas