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G Nadali

Publications and source records attributed to G Nadali.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Serum level of the soluble form of the CD30 molecule identifies patients with Hodgkin's disease at high risk of unfavorable outcome.

Preliminary reports suggested a prognostic significance for serum levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30) in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD). In this study, we investigated the prognostic impact of sCD30 concentration at diagnosis in relation to the other recognized prognostic parameters in 303 patients with HD observed in three different institutions between 1984 and 1996. sCD30 levels were correlated with stage, presence of B symptoms, and tumor burden. High sCD30 levels entailed a higher risk of poor outcome, and the event-free survival (EFS) probability at 5 years for patients with sCD30 levels >/=100 and less than 100 U/mL was 59.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.6% to 65.9%) and 87.5% (95% CI, 81.5% to 91.6%), respectively (P < .001). On the basis of the results of univariate analysis of 14 pretreatment characteristics, we included five prognostic factors (high sCD30 serum level, stage III-IV, B symptoms, low hemoglobin level, and age >/=50 years) into a multivariate model. High sCD30 and advanced stage were independently associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Their combined evaluation identified patients at high risk (stages III and IV and sCD30 >/=100 U/mL: EFS, 46.9%) and low risk (stages I and II with sCD30 <100 U/mL: EFS, 88. 7%) of treatment failure (P < .001). We conclude that the combined evaluation of sCD30 serum level and stage at presentation identifies patients with HD at high risk of an unfavorable outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The effectiveness and tolerability of epoetin alfa in patients with multiple myeloma refractory to chemotherapy.

Anemia is a frequent complication of multiple myeloma, becoming chronic in patients who are resistant to chemotherapy. This randomized, parallel, controlled multicenter study (71 patients receiving concomitant chemotherapy) evaluated the efficacy and safety of epoetin alfa in improving anemia and eliminating the need for transfusions in multiple myeloma patients refractory to conventional first- or second-line chemotherapy. Forty patients were treated with subcutaneous epoetin alfa (150 IU/kg per dose, increasing to 300 IU/kg per dose, every 3 weeks) for 6 months, and 31 entered a control group. The epoetin alfa group had a significantly (P < or = 0.001) greater percentage of patients (75% vs. 21%) with increases in hemoglobin levels and/or reduced transfusion requirements. In 44 non pre-transfused patients (20 controls, 24 in the epoetin alfa group), the mean increase in hemoglobin was significantly (P < or = 0.0001) greater in the epoetin alfa group (+2.1 vs. -0.2 g/dl). Increases in hematocrit and red blood cells were also significantly (P < or = 0.0001) greater in epoetin alfa-treated patients, with corresponding reductions in transfusion requirement. In the 27 pre-transfused patients (11 controls, 16 in the epoetin alfa group), there was a trend towards reduced transfusional need in epoetin alfa-treated patients. Thus, in patients with multiple myeloma refractory to chemotherapy epoetin alfa is a well-tolerated treatment which improves anemia in non pre-transfused patients and appears to reduce transfusion need in those previously transfused.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Serum levels of p55 and p75 soluble TNF receptors in adult acute leukaemia at diagnosis: correlation with clinical and biological features and outcome.

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)/TNF-receptor (TNFR) complex plays a role in the growth of leukaemic cells. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between pretreatment serum concentration of soluble TNFR (p55- and p75-sTNFRs) and outcome in adult acute myeloid (AML 82 cases) and lymphoid (ALL 44 cases) leukaemia. Both sTNFRs were significantly higher in AML (p55-sTNFR 4.53 +/- 3.7, median 3.75; p75-sTNFR 6.51 +/- 5.25 ng/ml, median 4.72) and ALL sera (3.31 +/- 1.5, median 2.95; 5.30 +/- 2.3 ng/ml, median 4.56, respectively) than in controls (1.89 +/- 0.5, median 1.98; 2.22 +/- 0.8 ng/ml, median 2.37) (P < 0.01 for both sTNFRs). Fresh leukaemic cells expressed p55- and p75-sTNFRs, which were modulated and released into the supernatant (SN) following short-term in vitro culture, suggesting that in vivo sTNFRs were also leukaemia-derived. Whereas no correlation was observed between sTNFRs and outcome in ALL, in AML higher p55-sTNFR levels (> 3.75 ng/ml) were associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.006) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.0004). At multivariate analysis p55-sTNFR was the most significant predictor of DFS (P = 0.006) and OS (P < 0.001). Our data suggest that the prognostic significance of p55-sTNFR in AML could be related to relevant biological features of AML blasts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

High serum level of soluble CD30 in acute primary HIV-1 infection.

CD30 has been suggested to play a role in HIV infection. In this study the serum concentration of soluble CD30 (sCD30) was determined by an ELISA essay on samples collected from patients with acute primary HIV-1 infection during the acute phase (n = 17) and after seroconversion (n = 13). sCD30 during acute infection was consistently elevated (137.58 +/- 120.33 versus 6.4 +/- 5.4 U/ml (mean +/- s.d.) in normal controls, P<0.0001) and decreased after seroconversion (49.1 +/- 66.17 U/ml; P = 0.0018 compared with acute infection). This trend mirrored the disappearance of detectable levels of HIV antigen in the blood, resulting in a direct correlation between sCD30 and HIVAg values (P = 0.002). These data suggest that the high levels of sCD30 observed during the peak concentration of HIVAg in acute primary HIV infection might reflect the high rate of viral replication.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Soluble molecules as biological markers in Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is characterised by a complex architectural and functional derangement of involved tissues. The interactions between neoplastic cells and the heterogeneous microenvironment lead to the expression and release of different cellular messengers [cytokines, soluble (s) forms of cytokine receptors and other membrane-associated molecules] which can be detected in the circulation and evaluated as biological markers. We and others investigated several of these molecules looking for their possible role as diagnostic or prognostic parameters in patients with HD. We update here the results of serum determination of sIL-2Ralpha, sCD8, sICAM-1, sTNFRs, and sCD30 in a large series of cases from our institution. We found that their levels are generally increased at presentation and during the active phase of the disease. They correlate with stage and clinical aggressiveness and have some prognostic implication. However, we were unable to demonstrate a prognostic usefulness for their detection, with the exception for sCD30 which was found to directly correlate with disease spread and burden at presentation and, most importantly, to have an independent prognostic significance. The prognostic significance of sCD30 might derive from a crucial involvement of this molecule in the pathophysiology of HD.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

p21/WAF1 cyclin-kinase inhibitor expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a potential marker of p53 tumor-suppressor gene function.

p21WAF1 (wild-type p53-activated fragment 1) is involved in the control of mammalian cell cycle through the binding and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk). Because the product of WAF1 gene is a potent downstream effector of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene function, its pattern of cellular expression might correlate with nuclear accumulation of p53-encoded protein and/or p53 gene mutations occurring in malignant lymphomas. To investigate this issue, we analyzed immunohistochemically the expression of p53 and p21WAF1 proteins in tissue involved by non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs;253 cases) of various histologic types. In a proportion of them (80 cases), we also investigated the possible presence of p53 gene mutations using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct DNA sequencing. The absence of both p21WAF1 and p53 proteins was observed in 147 of 217 cases (67.7%) among CD30-NHL and in only 8 of 36 (22.2%) CD30+cases, which were mostly anaplastic large-cell lymphomas. A consistent number (> 10%) of p21WAF1-expressing cells was shown in 48 of 253 (18.9%) NHL cases, with a higher incidence in CD30+cases (25/36 [69.4%]), which mostly (21/36) coexpressed p53. These latter cases were characterized by a germline configuration of the p53 gene. In 50 of 253 NHL samples (19.7%), 47 of which (21.6%) belong to the CD30-group, neoplastic cells were p53+/p21-. In all of these cases, the p53+cells accounted for more than 50% of neoplastic cells, up to 100%. Point mutations of p53 gene were solely observed in all investigated cases with this latter phenotype. Our findings strongly suggest that the combined immunohistochemical evaluation of p53 and p21WAF1 is a valuable means of assessing the functional status of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene product in NHL with potential application in the monitorage and prognostication of individual cases.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1996

Extensive amplification of single cells from CD34+ subpopulations in umbilical cord blood and identification of long-term culture-initiating cells present in two subsets.

CD34+ cord blood cells were isolated with immunomagnetic beads and fractionated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) into three subpopulations: CD34+38+DR+, CD34+38-DR+ and CD34+38-DR-, using antibodies specific for these cell surface markers. Cells from each of the three subsets were plated as single cells in serum-free medium supplemented with a combination of growth factor and individual cells were monitored for proliferation and the capacity to form colony-forming cells. Single cells from the CD34+38+DR+ subset showed the lowest expansion capacity, generating up to 1.1 x 10(6) cells at five weeks, while individual cells from both the CD34+38-DR+ and CD34+38-DR- subsets could be expanded up to 1.8 x 10(6) and 9.2 x 10(6) cells, respectively, over a period of six weeks. The different subpopulations also generated colony-forming cells which gave rise to erythroid, myeloid and erythroid/myeloid colonies. CD34+38-DR+ cells generated large numbers of colonies within two weeks in liquid culture, but this rapidly declined. Generation of lineage-committed colony-forming cells was better sustained in the CD34+38-DR- population and continued for up to six weeks in culture. Overall, the generation of colony-forming cells declined with time in culture, although the cell numbers continued to expand. However, when the same populations were plated on irradiated bone marrow stroma, both the CD34+38-DR+ and the CD34+38-DR- cells were capable of producing granulocytemacrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFCs) for 10 to 12 weeks. As hemopoiesis was sustained for almost three months, it appears that these populations were significantly enriched in long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-ICs). Although both populations generated GM-CFCs, the CD34+38-DR- cells sustained production of higher numbers of colony-forming cells than the CD34+38-DR+ population. These results demonstrate that cells from cord blood can be efficiently monitored at the single-cell level for proliferation, expansion and colony-forming capacity. Furthermore, at least two populations of LTC-ICs can be distinguished in cord blood CD34+38- cells by the differential expression of the HLA-DR antigen.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1995

Correlation between clinical features and circulating levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in Hodgkin's disease.

Previous reports have suggested soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 as a marker of disease activity in Hodgkin's disease. In the present study we investigated serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 at diagnosis in 104 patients with Hodgkin's disease and in 77 of these patients following the achievement of complete remission (within 12 months of diagnosis). Mean serum levels at diagnosis were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.0001) and were related to advanced stages of disease (P = < 0.0001), presence of "B" symptoms (P < 0.0001), abnormality of laboratory indexes (P < 0.0001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate values (r = 0.41, P < 0.0001) and serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (r = 0.51, P < 0.0001). Mean values in complete remission were significantly lower than at diagnosis (P = 0.003). Lower mean values at diagnosis were detected in 30 patients with advanced disease who attained complete remission, compared with 6 patients who failed to attain complete remission with standard treatment. We conclude that in Hodgkin's disease, high serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 are detectable at presentation and strictly correlate with some clinical features. Response to treatment is paralleled by reduced serum levels. Larger prospective studies are needed to evaluate the possible prognostic significance of serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 at diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

CD34 cell separation: from basic research to clinical applications.

Advances in the immunological identification of primitive haematopoietic cells have led to the development of various techniques for their characterisation and purification. The expression of the CD34 antigen by the stem cell compartment has been exploited for these purposes. Separation systems capable of isolating CD34+ cells on a large scale are finding use in the clinic. Areas of interest overlap for both researchers and clinicians, and efforts to mobilise, characterise, purify and transplant these cells continue. Different CD34 purification systems are reviewed, focusing on their possible applications in different research fields. Clinical results of CD34+ selection and the possible future applications of this technology in the clinic are also reported.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed1995

Circulating levels of soluble CD23 reflect clinical and biological features of leukemic B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders.

One hundred and twenty-four sera from patients with various leukemic B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative diseases were investigated at diagnosis by ELISA for their soluble CD23 content. Immunophenotyping was carried out in all patients, and in a selected subset the mean number of membrane-bound CD23 molecules per cell was also investigated. Seventy-three patients had typical B chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 41 leukemic B-cell disorders with atypical morphological and/or immunophenotypic features, 5 had low-grade follicular cell lymphoma in the leukemic phase, and 5 had splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes. Soluble CD23 levels were significantly higher than in normal sera (mean +/- SD: typical B chronic lymphocytic leukemia 3,650 +/- 4,654 U/ml, atypical B chronic lymphocytic leukemia 3,440 +/- 4,671 U/ml, follicular cell lymphoma 3,200 +/- 1,511 U/ml, splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes 8,236 +/- 7,294 U/ml, controls 137 +/- 128 U/ml; P < 0.001). More advanced Rai's stages were related to higher soluble CD23 levels (P < 0.01), both in typical and atypical B chronic lymphocytic leukemias, the highest levels and the best correlation with the absolute number of circulating CD19+ cells (r = 0.50) being observed in the typical form. The number of membrane-bound CD23 molecules per cell was significantly higher in typical than in atypical B chronic lymphocytic leukemias (mean number 156,727 +/- 94,668 vs. 12,010 +/- 10,643, P < 0.001). Our data suggest that soluble CD23 levels correlate with the clinical and biological features of leukemic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Serum levels of the soluble form of CD30 molecule as a tumor marker in CD30+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To determine serum levels of the soluble form of CD30 molecule (sCD30) in patients with Ki-1/CD30+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), and to evaluate its correlation with clinical features at presentation and its possible role as a tumor marker to monitor response to treatment and subsequent follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: sCD30 serum levels were measured with an improved commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kit in 24 patients with CD30+ ALCL at diagnosis and in 13 after treatment. RESULTS: Increased values (> 20 U/mL) at diagnosis were observed in 23 of 24 cases (median, 842.5 U/mL; range, 16 to 37,250) as compared with controls (P < .0001). These values were greater than those of 60 stage-matched cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) (P < .0001). The highest median value was observed in patients with T-cell-type ALCL (1,690 U/mL), with a significant overall difference as compared with B- and null-cell types (P = .004). Phenotype maintained its significance when results were corrected for other parameters, such as age, sex, and stage (P = .03). sCD30 values returned to the normal range in complete remission (CR), but remained increased in one patient who only partially responded to treatment. Subsequent increases of sCD30 levels were recorded in four of four patients after relapse. CONCLUSION: sCD30 appears to be a new biologic serum tumor marker of possible use in the clinical setting of CD30+ ALCL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

High serum level of the soluble form of CD30 molecule in the early phase of HIV-1 infection as an independent predictor of progression to AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum levels of the soluble form of the CD30 (sCD30) activation molecule in the early phase of HIV-1 infection, and to investigate the possible correlation with evolution to AIDS. METHODS: sCD30 values were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on serum samples collected at the time of the first evidence of HIV-1 infection in 110 individuals with a median follow-up of 56 months (range, 12-88 months), at the A1 (74 cases) or A2 (36 cases) stages of the 1993 revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classification. The data were evaluated using established clinical and immunological parameters, including circulating CD4+ T-cell count. The controls were 110 blood donors and 51 HIV-1-negative subjects belonging to groups at risk for HIV-1 infection. RESULTS: Elevated sCD30 levels (> 20 U/ml) were found in 83.6% of HIV-1-infected cases and in 47% of at-risk seronegatives. Data analysis revealed that HIV-1-infected patients with higher sCD30 levels (> 35 U/ml) experienced faster disease progression (P = 0.0002). This was also the case in patients at the earliest stage (A1) of HIV infection (P = 0.0027). In these latter cases the predictive value of sCD30 was independent of the initial absolute number of circulating CD4+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of sCD30 are increased in the large majority of patients in the early phase of HIV-1 infection and represent an indicator of progression to AIDS independent of other prognostic parameters.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Serum levels of soluble CD30 are elevated in the majority of untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease and correlate with clinical features and prognosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the serum levels of the soluble form of the CD30 molecule (sCD30) in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) to establish whether there is a correlation with clinical features at presentation and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sCD30 serum levels of 117 patients were measured at diagnosis with a commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) test kit, and in 78 of these patients the sCD30 levels were also recorded during the follow-up period. RESULTS: sCD30 levels at diagnosis were increased (> 20 U/mL) in a high proportion of patients (87.2%; mean +/- SD, 108 +/- 134 v 5.3 +/- 5.7 U/mL in controls, P < .0001) and correlated with stage (stages I + II, 73 +/- 97 U/mL; III + IV, 162 +/- 165 U/mL; P < .0001), with presence of B symptoms (stage A, 69 +/- 82 U/mL; stage B, 162 +/- 171 U/mL; P < .0001), and, to some extent, with tumor burden (bulky presentation, 141 +/- 129 U/mL; nonbulky, 91 +/- 133 U/mL; P = .058). Patients with sCD30 levels greater than 100 U/mL at diagnosis had a significantly higher rate of poor outcome in terms of failure to achieve a complete remission (CR) or disease relapse after CR achievement. In fact, the event-free survival (EFS) duration of patients with sCD30 levels greater than 100 U/mL was significantly worse (P = .0016). Using multivariate analysis, an sCD30 level greater than 100 U/mL retained its significance after adjustment for other prognostic parameters. CONCLUSION: sCD30 in HD at presentation strictly correlates with clinical features. Serum levels greater than 100 U/mL at diagnosis entail a significantly higher risk of treatment failure, a factor that is independent of other prognostic parameters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Relationship between Daunorubicin dosage delivered during induction therapy and outcome in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The long-term results of a therapeutic regimen for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been analysed with the main purpose to evaluate the impact of Daunorubicin (DNM) dosage given during the induction. The files of 86 consecutive adult ALL patients treated in our institution between 1974 and 1988 were reviewed. They received the same induction regimen based on Vincristine, DNM and Prednisone, consolidation with L-Asparaginase, central nervous system prophylaxis, and 3-year maintenance with 6-mercaptopurine and Methotrexate with periodic cycles of reinduction. We analysed the overall and disease-free survival (DFS) in relation to various prognostic factors, focusing on the dosage of DNM actually received during the induction period. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 68 (79%) patients and the overall DFS was of 32 months (median follow-up 37 months); 22 patients (25.6%) are off-therapy and disease-free. The actual dosage of DNM received during induction turned out to be an independent DFS prognostic factor. In fact, patients who received more or less than 175 mg/sqm in induction had a median DFS of 44 and 12 months, respectively (p = 0.05). The plateau of DFS in the two groups was 44% and 21%, respectively. Similar data were found analyzing the dose-intensity (mg/sqm/week) of DNM given in induction. Our data suggest that the actual dosage of DNM given in induction plays a role in the long term DFS of adult ALL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Detection of membrane and intracellular antigens by flow cytometry following ORTHO PermeaFix fixation.

In the present study, we explored the suitability of a new cell fixative (ORTHO PermeaFix, OPF) for the detection by flow cytometry of intracellular molecules while preserving the cell surface immunoreactivity, scatter features and morphology. The effect of OPF was investigated on whole blood of ten normal donors, and on separated blasts of 17 leukemic patients. OPF fixation for 45 min to 24 h maintained the morphology of lymphoid cells with minimal cellular distortion and scatter changes, and only slightly modified cell surface immunoreactivity. For at least 1 week following fixation, the cells were still suitable for immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies that recognize the main lymphoid populations. These included CD3, CD4 and CD8 for T-cell subsets, CD19 and CD16 for B lymphocytes and NK cells, and CD45 for leukocyte common antigen (LCA). The OPF fixation of leukemic cells allowed the simultaneous detection of nuclear TdT in conjunction with membrane CD19, and with membrane and/or cytoplasmic CD22 in common-ALL, as well as with cytoplasmic CD3 in T-ALL cases. Our findings suggest that with the introduction of this new fixative into the routine laboratory service, a number of convenient and practical arrangements can be made which increase the efficiency of immunodiagnosis. Small laboratories with no inhouse flow-cytometric facilities can now accumulate OPF-treated whole blood samples for at least 3-4 days and send these to reference laboratories. In addition, the immunodiagnosis of acute leukemia is greatly facilitated by combination staining for membrane and intracellular antigens both at diagnosis and when the analysis of minority populations is warranted for detecting minimal disease.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1993

Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in Hodgkin disease. Relationship with clinical stage, tumor burden, and treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested a possible role for the detection of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in Hodgkin disease (HD). In this study, the authors investigated, in a large series of patients, sIL-2R serum levels in relation to disease features at presentation and prognosis. Their usefulness as markers in the management of individual cases was evaluated. METHODS: The sIL-2R serum levels were measured in 195 patients at diagnosis. In 72 of these patients, sIL-2R serum levels were also monitored after diagnosis. An additional 87 cases were tested only in complete remission (CR), and 25 were tested only at relapse. RESULTS: The sIL-2R levels at diagnosis were increased (mean +/- 1222 +/- 1012 versus 331 +/- 145 U/ml in controls, P < 0.0001) and correlated with the stage and tumor burden (Stages I and II = 1058 +/- 1007, Stages III and IV = 1502 +/- 942 U/ml, P = 0.003; Stage A = 954 +/- 705, Stage B = 1880 +/- 1238 U/ml, P < 0.0001; bulky presentation = 1958 +/- 1430, nonbulky presentation = 1043 +/- 791 U/ml, P < 0.0001). Response to treatment was associated with progressive reduction of sIL-2R levels, which were normal in virtually all cases 1 year after CR. Significantly greater levels at diagnosis were found in 11 patients who experienced a poor response or progression after treatment (P = 0.004). Overall, abnormal data in CR were found in 59 of 159 patients and 9 of them subsequently experienced a relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The sIL-2R serum levels in HD correlate with features at presentation and subsequent clinical courses. Higher levels at diagnosis entail a significantly higher risk of treatment failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor in hairy-cell leukemia: a reliable marker of disease.

The CD25 molecule, which corresponds to the p55 alpha chain of the interleukin-2 receptor, is strongly expressed by neoplastic cells in hairy-cell leukemia and is released in large amounts in the soluble form which is detectable in serum. In order to assess the reliability of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor as a disease marker in the management of patients with hairy-cell leukemia, we investigated serum levels in 35 untreated patients and in 2 patients with the hairy-cell leukemia variant. In 21 of 35 patients soluble receptor levels were also monitored during and after recombinant interferon-alpha therapy. Clinical and hematological parameters were also assessed. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels were extremely high at the time of diagnosis in patients with typical hairy-cell leukemia [32,722 +/- 27,001 vs. 331 +/- 145 units/ml in controls (mean +/- SD)], but not in patients with the leukemia variant. A progressive decrease in soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels paralleled the clinical response to treatment, although normal values were never detected, even in patients who achieved an apparent complete remission. After recombinant interferon-alpha discontinuation, disease recurrence was accompanied by a progressive increase to pre-treatment soluble receptor levels. Overall, a close correlation was found between soluble interleukin-2 receptor values and total tumor burden (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). On the basis of these data, soluble interleukin-2 receptor should be regarded as a key marker in the management of patients with hairy-cell leukemia.

Adult↗