Dysregulated cytokine production by monocytes from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

The serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6) in B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and secretion of these cytokines by monocytes from CLL patients has been studied in 27 CLL patients and 20 normal subjects under unstimulated and stimulated conditions. It has been observed that monocyte function is impaired and deficient in CLL patients. The cytokine secretion though decreased in unstimulated cultures, was found to reach normal levels as far as IL-6 and TNF are concerned, indicating a possible role of an in vivo suppressive factor. The observed defect in cytokine production may have an important implication for the immune system of the patients.