ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 5, No. 3, March 2014 | pp. 17–24
DOI: 10.46882/2014/IJH/000051
Original Article
Title: Predicting early relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using serum soluble IL-2 receptor levels
Names of Authors: A. I. Ibrahim¹, C. D. Balogun², E. O. Ojo³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; ²Department of Medicine and Oncology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; ³Department of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Abstract: Identifying reliable biomarkers for early relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is vital for modifying frontline treatment protocols. This prospective study evaluated the clinical utility of monitoring serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels in 65 newly diagnosed patients undergoing standard R-CHOP chemotherapy. Serum sIL-2R levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline, mid-treatment, and completion of therapy. Baseline sIL-2R levels were significantly higher in patients with advanced clinical stage disease (Binet/Ann Arbor III/IV) compared to early-stage cohorts (mean 2,850 ± 420 U/ml versus 840 ± 150 U/ml, P < 0.001). Following 6 treatment cycles, 73.8% (48 of 65) achieved complete remission, accompanied by a decline in sIL-2R to normal ranges (< 500 U/ml). However, 12 patients who subsequently experienced disease relapse within 12 months demonstrated a significant rebound in sIL-2R levels at a median of 2.5 months before clinical or radiological detection. High baseline and persistent mid-treatment elevation of sIL-2R correlated with poor progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 3.15, P < 0.01). Serial monitoring of serum sIL-2R serves as a sensitive, non-invasive biomarker for tracking tumor burden and predicting early relapse in lymphoma patients.
Keywords: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, soluble IL-2 receptor, tumor biomarker, relapse prediction, chemotherapy response
Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 12, 2013; Revised: January 20, 2014; Accepted: February 05, 2014; Published: March 14, 2014