Prognostic Impact of Interleukin-10 in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background: Several markers are investigated for prognostic purpose in CLL patients among which interleukin-10 (IL-10) is under more investigation. We aimed to study IL-10 level in a group of newly diagnosed patients with CLL in a single center in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: In this study, 80 newly diagnosed patients with CLL referring to Hematology Department of the Medical Research Institute of Alexandria University, Egypt, and a control group including 40 healthy volunteers were included. ZAP-70 was determined by flowcytometry and serum IL-10 concentration was measured using IL-10 sandwich ELISA method. Results: Mean serum IL-10 levels were significantly higher among patients with CLL. IL-10 level was higher in those who were positive for ZAP-70, Binet stage C, Rai stage III-IV and patients with high scores for CLL prognostic index (≥8). It showed significant positive correlation with the percentage of ZAP-70 expression and significant negative correlation to hemoglobin and platelets count. Conclusion: Serum IL-10 in patients with CLL at presentation could be used as a prognostic marker for disease progression. Measurement of IL-10 in low resources areas where flowcytometry is not available could be recommended as a substitute investigation.