Markedly upregulated serum interleukin-12 as a novel biomarker in POEMS syndrome

作者：Kanai Kazuaki^*; Sawai Setsu; Sogawa Kazuyuki; Mori Masahiro; Misawa Sonoko; Shibuya Kazumoto; Isose Sagiri; Fujimaki Yumi; Noto Yuichi; Sekiguchi Yukari; Nasu Saiko; Nakaseko Chiaki; Takano Shigetsugu; Yoshitomi Hideyuki; Miyazaki Masaru; Nomura Fumio; Kuwabara Satoshi

来源：Neurology, 2012, 79(6): 575-582.

DOI：10.1212/WNL.0b013e318263c42b

Objective: To systematically study abnormalities in cytokine profiles in polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome, which has been increasingly recognized as a cause of demyelinating neuropathy associated with plasma cell dyscrasia and elevated serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: In this case-control study, we measured serum levels of 27 cytokines in patients with POEMS syndrome using a multiplex suspension array system, and compared them with those of controls. In 10 patients, serial changes after treatment were analyzed. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: Interleukin (IL)-12 as well as VEGF levels were markedly increased (p %26lt; 0.0001) in all the patients (n = 23). Ten kinds of other proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were also significantly increased in the POEMS syndrome group, but in some patients the serum levels of such cytokines remained within the normal ranges. After treatments, the IL-12 as well as VEGF levels significantly decreased with clinical improvements (p %26gt; 0.01 and p %26gt; 0.05, respectively). %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: Our findings suggest that serum IL-12 is a biomarker of the disease activity in POEMS syndrome. The overproduction of IL-12, as well as VEGF, is likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disorder, and could contribute to the peripheral nerve demyelination in POEMS syndrome. Neurology (R) 2012;79:575-582

• 出版日期2012-8