EVALUATION OF SOME IMMUNE RESPONSE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA I: INNATE IMMUNITY

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by the accumulation of mature-appearing lymphocytes in the blood, marrow, and lymphoid tissues. This study aimed to evaluate innate immunity in patients with CLL via estimation of serum levels of Interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interleukin 8(IL-8), and complement components C3 and C4. Blood samples were collected from 48 patients with CLL (28 treated and 20 untreated). Other 20 blood samples were collected from healthy appearing individuals as control group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to estimate serum concentration of IL-1α and IL-8. Single radial immunediffusion assay was used to estimate the serum levels of C3 and C4. Total white blood cells and absolute lymphocyte count in each blood sample were determined. The study showed a significant decrease in serum concentration of IL-1α and complement components C3 and C4 in treated and untreated patients, whereas, serum concentration of IL-8 and blood absolute lymphocyte count showed significant increase in untreated patients. These data collectively indicated the aberration in innate immunity in CLL patients which can used as a prognosis for the disease.