Clinical immunology
Serum concentration of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-α in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia – possible role of oxidative stress

Aim of the study was to measure interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations and their correlation with oxidative status and efficacy of antioxidative defense in peripheral blood of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Study group consisted of 23 children, median age 5,9 years. Sampling was obtained twice: the first before therapy was started and the second after induction of the treatment. Cytokines quantitative assays were performed in serum, using an ELISA method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were estimated using kits Randox Laboratories Ltd. Vitamin E and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in plasma were measured fluorymetically.
IL-10 concentration was higher in serum of ALL children when compare to controls. Median TNF-α was significantly increased in newly diagnosed patients when compared to the same patients in remission and controls. MDA levels and GPX activity were higher in leukemia group then in controls. In our study, interleukin 10 was correlated with level of MDA. We concluded that serum IL-10 and TNF-α in children with ALL is increased compare to control group. Our data suggest that oxidative stress contribute to those changes.