Levels of soluble forms of ICAM and VCAM in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and their prognostic significance

The aim of this study was to assess circulating soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1). and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in order to evaluate their clinical significance. Seventy patients with untreated NOS [21 refractory anemia (RA), nine RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS). 17 RA with excess of blasts (R-AM). 11 RAEB in transformation (RAEBt). and 12 chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)] were included in this study, Serum levels of sICAM, sVCAM, and IL-1beta were determined at diagnosis using commercially available immunoassays. In addition. 15 healthy, volunteers were studied as a control group. sICAM, sVCAM, and Il-1beta serum levels were significantly higher in MDS patients in comparison with the control group (P < 0.001). Patients with CMML showed the highest sICAM. sVCAM. and IL-1beta levels in comparison with other MDS-related subtypes. Furthermore significantly elevated levels of the studied parameters were detected in high-risk MDS patients (RAEB, RAEB-t, and CMML) in comparison with low-risk MDS (RA and RARS). IL-1beta was strongly correlated both to sICAM and sVCAM. In conclusion we have provided evidence that increased sICAM and sVCAM serum levels are related to MDS severity.