Cytokine Profiles of Macrophage Activation Syndrome Associated with Rheumatic Diseases

Abstract

The cytokine profiles associated with MAS differed between patients with SLE and patients with AOSD. The patients with SLE showed a prominent increase in serum M-CSF levels, as did the patients with AOSD in serum IL-18 level. Patients who died had higher serum M-CSF and ss(2)m levels, and this suggests that aggressive treatment for patients with MAS and these profiles should be promptly started.