British Journal of Haematology · 1996 · 82 citations · 0 references
MedicineImmunologyCancer ImmunologyClinical ImmunologyImmunopathologyImmuno-oncology BiomarkersMultiple MyelomaComparative Disease SeverityControlsDisease Severity EstimationMyeloma PathogenesisPeripheral Blood Immune BiomarkersRefractory Multiple MyelomaRemission Measurement
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.