Serum IL-10 and IL-12 levels reflect the response to chemotherapy but are influenced by G-CSF therapy and sepsis in children with soft tissue sarcomas

Introduction: Pre-treatment serum IL-10/IL-12 balance has been recently found deregulated in childhood soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Its role in STS monitoring and assessment of response to therapy is unknown.Objective: To establish whether serum IL-10 and IL-12 levels and their reciprocal ratios reflect childhood STS course and actual activity and whether G-CSF therapy and central vein catheter (CVC)-related sepsis influence the interleukins levels.Materials and methods: ELISA determinations of serum interleukins were performed before treatment, in remission without complications (CR), at relapse and after treatment in 59 STS patients and during G-CSF administration and CVC-related sepsis (in 18) and also in 30 healthy controls. Results: In CR IL-10 declined and IL-12 increased as compared to pretreatment levels; in relapse IL-10 rose and IL-12 decreased significantly as compared to levels in CR. Also rates of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-10/IL-12 ratios recently estimated by us as of prognostic significance reflected well the STS course. During G-CSF therapy and CVC-related sepsis, IL-10 increased and IL-12 decreased significantly from levels in CR without complications. IL-10 levels and rates of IL-10 ≥11 pg/ml in sepsis could falsely suggest relapse. However, IL-12 levels, rates of IL-12 ≤60 pg/ml and/or simultaneous determination of both interleukins differed significantly from levels at relapse. Conclusion: Serial determinations of serum IL-10 and IL-12 reflected well the course of STS in children and enabled remission and relapse phases to be distinguished. To avoid G-CSF and sepsis influence, IL-12 and IL-10/IL-12 ratio and not IL-10 alone should be analysed.