Correlation and prognostic value of serum soluble ICAM-1, beta-2 microglobulin, and IL-2alphaR levels in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Serum levels of sICAM-1, sIL-2alphaR, and beta-2 microglobulin were measured in 63 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The correlation between these serum markers as well as their relationship with NHL features and disease outcome were analyzed. Although in high-grade NHL sICAM-1 levels correlated with tumor mass, no correlation was found between sICAM-1 levels and tumor burden in low-grade NHL. When compared with sICAM-1 and beta-2 microglobulin, sIL-2alphaR showed the strongest correlation with the tumor burden. However, in multivariate analysis, including serum markers employed as continuous variables, the only parameteres which entered the regression model were beta-2 microglobulin (p=0.012) and sICAM-1 (p=0.019). In a dichotomized model, beta-2 microglobulin, aggressive histology, sICAM-1, age and number of nodal involved sites were found to be prognostically significant. Finally, by combining sICAM-1 and beta-2 microglobulin serum levels, a simple prognostic model useful for NHL was obtained.

Hydroxyurea-induced acute interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with essential thrombocythemia.

Hydroxyurea is a drug widely used to control myeloproliferative disorders, due in part to its relative lack of severe side effects. We present a case of acute interstitial pneumonitis in a patient who was treated with hydroxyurea for essential thrombocythemia. The clinical course suggests that the interstitial pneumonitis was induced by hydroxyurea. This is the first case of hydroxyurea-induced acute interstitial pneumonitis reported in the literature.

[Detection of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in the serum of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]. / Determinación del receptor soluble de la interleucina 2 en el suero de pacientes con linfoma no hodgkiniano.

BACKGROUND: Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) have increased serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25). In this study the authors investigate: a) the value of sCD25, compared to other serum markers, as tumor marker, and b) the relationship of the sCD25 with the response to therapy and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25) levels were measured at diagnosis in 63 patients with NHL (low-grade lymphoma 30 and high-grade lymphoma 33). RESULTS: High levels of sCD25 were found in these patients compared to a control group (median 1,757 U/ml vs 385 U/ml; p < 0.0001). Significant differences were also found between the high-grade group and the low-grade group, as a whole and within the same Ann Arbor stage. sCD25 showed a correlation coefficient higher than other serum parameters (albumin, LDH, beta 2-microglobulin, uric acid, C-reactive protein) with Ann Arbor stage and with the number of involved lymph nodes or extralymphatic organs. In the high-grade NHL, the median of sCD25 (3,000 U/ml) separates patients with differences in the overall survival (p = 0.0138) and in percentage of complete remisions (p = 0.0079). All the patients with sCD25 < or = 3,000 U/ml reached the remision. The association sCD25 > 3,000 U/ml and albumin < 3.5 g/dl selected to 5 out of 6 patients who failed induction chemotherapy, and only 2 out of 22 who reached the remision. CONCLUSIONS: The sCD25 is the best serum factor for estimating tumor burden in NHL. sCD25 level isolates or associated with albumin provides prognostic information.