Role of TNF-alpha as a survival prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic leukemia. This pilot study assesses the potential value of measuring TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-18 and CRP levels as prognostic markers for disease monitoring in CLL patient. These parameters were evaluated in 45 CLL patients and 25 healthy control subjects IL-6 on contraire to the other cytokines, was significantly higher (P<0.05) in patients compared to controls. At hematological remission, only CRP was significantly reduced (P<0.005). IL-6 is inversely correlated with Hb (P<0.05). In the meantime, IL-18 is correlated to splenomegaly, and CRP (P<0.05; for both). TNF-alpha level in non-survived patients was significantly higher than both survived patients (P<0.05), and controls (P<0.01). In conclusion, TNF-alpha can be potentially used as a survival prognostic factor in CLL.