Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R) in Hodgkin's disease (HD) both in the achievement of complete remission (CR) and in predicting disease relapse. Between August 1988 and June 1993 sIL-2R serum levels were measured in 174 untreated patients; in 137 of them evaluation was repeated at the end of treatment and in 132 also during the follow-up. Baseline sIL-2R levels (mean+/-standard error) were significantly higher in patients than in 65 healthy control subjects (1842+/-129 U ml(-1) vs 420+/-10 U ml(-10, P< 0.0001). At the end of treatment 135 out of 137 evaluated patients achieved complete response (CR) and their mean sIL-2R serum levels were significantly lower than those at diagnosis (635+/-19 U ml(-1) vs 1795+/-122 U ml(-1), P=0.0001). After a median follow-up of 5 years, sIL-2R remained low in 114 patients in continuous CR, while they increased in 9 out of 12 patients (75%) who relapsed. However, a temporary increase was also observed in six patients (5%) still in CR. Treatment outcome in terms of freedom from progression was linearly related to sIL-2R levels. Our study confirms that patients with untreated HD have increased baseline levels of sIL-2R compared with healthy subjects and that their pretreatment values may be an indication of disease outcome similar to other conventional prognostic factors, such as number of involved sites, presence of B symptoms and extranodal extent.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Viviani, S., Camerini, E., Bonfante, V. et al. Soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R) in Hodgkin's disease: outcome and clinical implications. Br J Cancer 77, 992–997 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1998.163
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1998.163
This article is cited by
-
Cervical lymph node extirpation for the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma
Surgery Today (2013)
-
Expression of γ‐chain cytokine receptors on CD8+ T cells in HIV infection with a focus on IL‐7Rα (CD127)
Immunology & Cell Biology (2012)
-
Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level is associated with the outcome of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP regimens
Annals of Hematology (2012)
-
Serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level determines clinical outcome in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma: in combination with the International Prognostic Index
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (2005)
-
Hodgkin’s disease: Prognostic factors and short-course regimens
Current Oncology Reports (2000)