SERUM LEVELS OF HELPER FACTORS (IL-1-ALPHA, IL-1-BETA AND IL-6), T-CELL PRODUCTS (SCD4 AND SCD8), SIL-2R AND BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN IN PATIENTS WITH B-CLL AND BENIGN B-LYMPHOCYTOSIS

Chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells may be regulated by immune functions. In an attempt to analyze such functions, helper factors (IL-1-alpha, IL-1-beta and IL-6), T-cell products (sCD4 and sCD8) and sIL-2R and beta-2-microglobulin were measured in serum of patients at different stages of the disease. Patients were classified as having monoclonal lymphocytosis of undetermined significance (MLUS), stable or progressive B-CLL respectively. A significant, but modest, increase of IL-1-alpha was found in B-CLL as well as in MLUS patients whereas IL-6 levels were increased in MLUS only. sCD8 levels were increased both in MLUS and B-CLL but augmented sCD4 concentrations were found statistically significant only in progressive B-CLL. Beta-2-microglobulin and sIL-2R were related to the extent of the monoclonal B-cell fraction. The data indicate an increased T-suppressor activity in both MLUS and B-CLL patients and a selective increase of helper T-cell activity in progressive B-CLL. A possible immunoregulatory influence of helper T cells on disease progression is discussed.