Evaluation of interleukin-18 levels in patients affected by multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: analysis and review of the literature

A. Allegra, D. Vincelli, G. Spatari, M. Ferraro, A. Alibrandi, G. Mirabile, E. Pace, B. Martino, G. Pioggia, S. Gangemi

Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, Division of Hematology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. aallegra@unime.it

---

• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a preneoplastic disease that often precedes multiple myeloma. The multistep evolutionary pattern of multiple myeloma is driven by genetic instability, a pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive microenvironment, and tumor growth. Inflammation has long been recognized as a factor in both the onset and progression of cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, interleukin-18 plasma levels were compared in patients with multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, as well as in a group of healthy controls.

RESULTS: Our study shows that monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance patients have lower levels of interleukin-18 than healthy controls (521.657 ± 168.493 pg/ml vs. 1,266.481 ± 658.091 pg/ml for controls, p < 0.001). Thus, we discovered a significant difference in interleukin-18 levels between multiple myeloma patients and controls (418.177 ± 197.837 pg/ml; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: In our work, we identified a reduction of interleukin-18 in monoclonal gammopathies. Furthermore, in this paper, we aimed to evaluate the existing literature on the potential mechanisms of action of this pro-inflammatory cytokine in the development of these diseases.

Free PDF Download