Serum Interleukin-9 Concentration Is Associated with the Hemoglobin Level and Renal Function in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND:Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the most common types of hematological malignancies, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Interleukin-9 (IL-9) is a growth factor, mainly produced by helper T cells. A series of observations suggested that IL-9 might act as a factor promoting oncogenesis. This study was aimed at detecting the serum concentrations of IL-9 in patients with MM, and to investigate its potential clinical significance. METHODS:The serum IL-9 levels in 34 patients with MM and 15 normal controls were quantified by using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS:Our results showed that the serum IL-9 concentration in MM patients was significantly higher than that in the controls (p<0.0001). Interestingly, the IL-9 level in serum was found to be negatively associated with the hemoglobin concentration among the newly diagnosed MM patients (p=0.0108, r=-0.5850). Moreover, MM patients with renal dysfunction showed a significant increase in serum IL-9 concentration over those with normal renal function (p=0.0395). CONCLUSION:These findings may imply a novel role of IL-9 in anemia and/or renal dysfunction development in MM.

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