Prognostic significance of serum B-lymphocyte stimulator in Hodgkin's lymphoma.

B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) plays a critical role in the survival of B-lymphocytes. In 50 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma BLyS levels were higher in newly diagnosed patients (median 2.0 ng/mL, range <0.3-56.0) and relapsed patients (8.7 ng/mL, range 1.5-71.5) than in 93 healthy donors (<0.3 ng/mL, range <0.3-0.5). High serum BLyS levels (> or =2.0 ng/mL) in newly diagnosed patients were associated with resistance to therapy (p=0.01) and shorter progression-free survival (log-rank p=0.029, 2-year rate 64% vs 100%). Serum BLyS levels may have prognostic significance in Hodgkin's lymphoma.