Effects of interferon-alpha-2a on Th3 cytokine response in multiple myeloma patients.
OBJECTIVE
Multiple myeloma cells increase Th3 cytokine response by secreting TGF-beta, which causes defective Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses. Therefore, a significant suppression of the immune system is seen in multiple myeloma. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma due to its immunomodulatory and anti-tumoral effects. We attempted to define the characteristics of immune cytokine responses and the effects of IFN-alpha-2a on the immune response in multiple myeloma.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with multiple myeloma and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. IFN-alpha-2a, 3 million units/day x 3 times/week, was administered subcutaneously to the patients for 2 weeks. Cytokines (TGF-beta, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-gamma) were assessed by the ELISA method in sera of the patients in pretreatment and posttreatment periods and in the sera of the controls.


RESULTS
IL-2 and IL-4 levels in patients, before IFN-alpha-2a, were lower than the controls, whereas TGF-beta levels were higher than the controls. In other words, Th3 cytokine response was increased and Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses were decreased in patients. A short course of IFN-alpha-2a increased IL-2 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest IFN-alpha-2a may enhance nonTh3 cytokine responses in multiple myeloma patients.
Sonmez
Mehmet
M
Division of Hematology, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.
Sonmez
Bircan
B
Eren
Necmi
N
Yilmaz
Mustafa
M
Karti
S Sami
SS
Ovali
Ercument
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma