[Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 6 in acute leukemia].

ABSTRACT

In order to clarify the role of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia, IL-6 and TNF alpha level was determined in patients with various types of acute leukemia. In comparison with normal subjects, IL-6 activity was significantly elevated in patients with ALL and ANLL (P < 0.01) and TNF alpha level increased in patients with ANLL (P < 0.05). The effect of IL-6 and TNF alpha on leukemia cell in vitro was also observed. The results indicated that IL-6 can promote the proliferation of leukemia cells, while TNF alpha can inhibit proliferation of leukemia cell in vitro. It is suggested that abnormal level of TNF alpha and IL-6 in patients with acute leukemia is probably related to the pathogenesis of acute leukemia.