Serum levels of soluble transferrin receptor correlate with severity of disease but not with iron stores in patients with malignant lymphomas.
Soluble transferrin receptor levels in serum (s-sTfR) may be useful in differentiating between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease. However, there is both theoretical and clinical evidence for elevated s-sTfR levels in patients with various hematological malignancies. In the present study, routine bone marrow aspirations were performed in 82 patients with malignant lymphomas (63 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 19 with Hodgkin's disease). Smears were stained for evaluation of iron stores and graded. Patients were also given a disease score based on bone marrow morphology, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and LDH. s-sTfR levels correlated better with disease score [partial Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r(s)) controlled for iron stores was 0.51 (95% confidence interval 0.39-0.65); p < 0.001] than with iron stores [partial r(s) controlled for disease score was -0.25 (95% confidence interval -0.44 to -0.03); p = 0.027]. This study showed elevated s-sTfR levels in patients with malignant lymphomas without any signs of iron deficiency anemia. The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia should not be established upon the basis of s-sTfR alone in this group of patients.
Bjerner
Johan
J
Central Laboratory, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, Oslo, Norway. johan.bjerner@klinmed.uio.no
Amlie
Lise-Marit
LM
Rusten
Leiv Sindre
LS
Jakobsen
Erling
E
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D015415:Biomarkers; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000737:chemistry; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000097:blood*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D007501:Iron