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Dilemma: Correlation Between Serum Level of Hepcidin and IL-6 in Anemic Myeloma Patients
Lejla Ibricevic-Balic1, Emina Icindic-Nakas2, Sabaheta Hasic2
1Clinical center of Sarajevo University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Introduction:
Anemia occurs in 60% to 80 % of patients with newly diagnosed myeloma multiplex (MM). The cause of anemia in MM is probably multi factorial and involved among the others hepcidin and some cytokines, especially interleukine-6. Anemia in MM is one of the risk factor used in Durie-Salmon classification for staging and prognostic score. Treatment options are set according to this score with most significant impact on survival.
Aim:
To estimate baseline level of serum hepcidin, IL-6 and iron metabolism markers in anemic MM patients, possible role of hepcidin and its interaction with IL-6.
Methods:
27 patients with newly diagnosed MM were enrolled in this observational, prospective study and age, gender matched 60 healthy controls. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, serum hepcidin, interleukin-6, iron, ferritin and transferrin were measured.
Results:
Anemia was diagnosed in 70% of MM patients. Serum hepcidin was significantly higher in MM group (55.5 ng/mL) than in control 5.9 ng/mL (p=0000). In myeloma patients serum IL-6 was 3.59 pg/mL, anemic 3.80 pg/mL, non-anemic 0.33 pg/mL, without significant difference. It was not found significant correlation between hepcidin and IL-6 in anemic myeloma patients.
Conclusion:
High level of hepcidin probably causes anemia in MM but its high expression is not due only to IL-6.
Insights
High hepcidin levels likely cause anemia in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, but interleukin-6 (IL-6) doesn't fully explain this increase. Further research is needed to understand the complex causes of anemia in MM.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Anemia affects 60-80% of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, impacting prognosis and treatment.
- The causes of anemia in MM are multifactorial, involving hepcidin and cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6).
- Anemia is a key factor in the Durie-Salmon staging and prognostic scoring for MM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure serum hepcidin, IL-6, and iron metabolism markers in anemic MM patients.
- To investigate the role of hepcidin and its relationship with IL-6 in MM-related anemia.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 27 newly diagnosed MM patients and 60 healthy controls.
- Measurements included hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, serum hepcidin, IL-6, iron, ferritin, and transferrin.
- Patients were stratified into anemic and non-anemic groups.
Main Results:
- Anemia was present in 70% of MM patients.
- Serum hepcidin was significantly elevated in MM patients (55.5 ng/mL) compared to controls (5.9 ng/mL).
- No significant correlation was found between hepcidin and IL-6 levels in anemic MM patients.
Conclusions:
- Elevated hepcidin is a probable contributor to anemia in MM.
- The high expression of hepcidin in MM is not solely driven by IL-6.
- Further investigation is required to elucidate the complete mechanisms behind MM-associated anemia.
