Soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R), a new prognostic factor in multiple myeloma |
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| Authors: | MARIA-CHRISTINA KYRTSONIS GEORGES DEDOUSSIS CONSTANTIN ZERVAS VASSILIS PERIFANIS CONSTANTIN BAXEVANIS MARINA STAMATELOU ALICE MANIATIS |
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| Institution: | Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine; Department of Immunology, Anticancer Institute, Athens; Division of Haematology, Theagenio Hospital, Salonica,; Laboratory Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece |
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| Abstract: | sIL-6R is a 55 kD soluble molecule mediating the interleukin-6 (IL-6) signal through the IL-6 receptor-associated transmembrane signal transducer, gp130. It has recently been suggested that sIL-6R serum levels may reflect disease severity in multiple myeloma (MM). We determined sIL-6R serum levels in 25 normal controls (NC) and in 80 MM patients at diagnosis and during the course of the disease. Measurements were done by ELISA. In NC, sIL-6R levels ranged from 14 to 40 ng/ml (median 28 ng/ml) whereas in MM patients the range was 10–200 ng/ml (median 38 ng/ml) ( P < 0.01). 61 patients entered remission and 19 were resistant. Median sIL-6R value at diagnosis was 36 ng/ml (10–120) in responding patients, and 82 ng/ml (20–200) in non-responding patients ( P < 0.001). During a follow-up from 12 to 89 months, sIL-6R values remained more or less stable in most patients. High sIL-6R levels correlated with poor survival. |
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| Keywords: | multiple myeloma soluble interleukin-6 receptor prognosis |
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