Temporary increase in serum beta 2-microglobulin during treatment with interferon-alpha for AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
Beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) levels were determined in the serum of 24 patients treated with high-dose human recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) for AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. There was a significant increase in serum beta 2-M levels, irrespective of the response to treatment. However, the increase of serum beta 2-M levels in responders appeared to be more pronounced than in those with progressive disease, but this difference was not significant. The increase was only found during the initial 8 weeks; thereafter, beta 2-M levels declined in patients with continuing clinical improvement during ongoing treatment with IFN alpha. This may have been related to IFN alpha dose modification at 8 weeks for all patients. The initial rise in serum beta 2-M might be related to the immunomodulation properties of IFN alpha. Because serum beta 2-M levels were also enhanced in non-responders, this rise does not demonstrate that immunomodulation by IFN alpha is a mechanism of anti-tumour activity in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
Department of Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
R
R
de Wit
P J
PJ
Bakker
P
P
Reiss
F J
FJ
Hoek
J M
JM
Lange
J
J
Goudsmit
K H
KH
Veenhof
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015488:HIV Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin