Objective: To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of interleukin 6, soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp 130), interleukin 8 and type A interleukin 8 receptor (IL-8RA) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients during all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment.
Methods: Serum and bone marrow mononuclear cell (MNC) culture supernatant IL-6, sgp 130, IL-8 concentrations of 18 cases APL patients were measured (ELISA). Bone marrow MNC IL-8RA was measured by flow cytometry after cultured with ATRA (10(-6) mmol/L).
Results: Serum IL-6, sgp130, IL-8 levels were higher than normal (P < 0.05), IL-6, sgp130 levels correlated with white blood cell (WBC) counts (P < 0.05) while IL-8 level correlated with body temperature (P < 0.05) at initial diagnosis after 72-hour incubation with ATRA, concentration of IL-6 of bone marrow MNC culture supenatant did not change, that of sgp130 mildly decreased, and IL-8 significantly decreased while the positive rate of IL-8RA on bone marrow MNC increased. During ATRA treatment, serum IL-6 changes were correlated with WBC changes. Peak level of IL-6 and WBC was lower in patients received intermittent therapy than continuous therapy. Serum IL-6 and IL-8 increased when complicated with infection and increase in IL-8 seemed more sensitive.
Conclusion: Serum levels of IL-6, sgp130, IL-8 may reflect patient's responsiveness to ATRA treatment, predict hyperleukocytosis and intercurrent infection. ATRA induces APL cell differentiation possibly via gp130 signal transduction.