Prognostic Value of IL-10 and Its Relationship with Disease Stage in Iranian Patients with Multiple Myeloma

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated roles of interleukins in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). OBJECTIVE: Here we considered correlations among serum levels of IL-10, stage of disease and clinical laboratory disease markers in Iranian MM patients to investigate whether the interleukin might have prognostic significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 60 subjects (40 patients and 20 controls) were recruited. After preliminary laboratory tests, disease stage was evaluated and serum levels of IL-10 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The mean concentration of serum IL-10 in patients (2.39±0.82 ng/ml) was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than that in healthy controls (0.34±0.15 ng/ml). A positive and significant correlation (p<0.0001) was observed with the disease stage. The highest plasma cell proportions were recorded for MM stage III patients (68.8±9.21%), differing significantly from those of stage I patients (50.0±10.0%; p=0.011). The Beta-2 microglobulin value in stage III patients (7.7±1.13mg/l) was significantly higher than in those with stage II (4.31±0.64 mg/l; p<0.0001) and stage I (2.8±0.4 mg/l; p<0.0001). There was also a positive and significant correlation (p=0.002) between IL-10 levels and B2M. A trend (p=0.06) for positive correlation was observed between IL-10 levels and plasma cells. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation of IL-10 with disease stage and markers of disease activity indicates important roles in MM pathogenesis and progression. Therefore, measurement of serum IL-10 might be helpful for predicting stage and clinical management of MM.