Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: correlation with patients’ characteristics and outcome

Background Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignant disease of the blood characterized by the proliferation of mature B-lymphocytes in the bone marrow and lymphoid tissues. The altered functions of innate immune elements and adaptive immune factors are interconnected in CLL and are decisive for its onset, evolution, and therapeutic response. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and outcomes in CLL. Patients and methods Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from 100 Egyptian patients newly diagnosed with CLL and 100 age-matched and sex-matched healthy individuals. Cytokine levels were correlated with clinical features and the response after receiving chemotherapy. Results Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in CLL patients than controls (median, 49 vs. 6.2 ng/l and median, 38.5 vs. 4.16 ng/l, respectively). A significant association was found between IL-6 and TNF-α levels and abnormal karyotyping, advanced disease stage, higher white blood cells, lymphocyte count, β2 microglobulin, and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations ( P <0.001 for each). No significant difference between the responder and nonresponder patients after receiving chemotherapy was noticed regarding both IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Conclusion Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were correlated with advanced CLL stage and worse prognosis but were related to the patient’s outcome after receiving chemotherapy.