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Interleukin 10 Level in the Cerebrospinal Fluid as a Possible Biomarker for Lymphomatosis Cerebri
Shunta Hashiguchi1, Takayuki Momoo, Yoko Murohashi
1Department of Neurology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Japan.
Insights
Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is a rare brain lymphoma. Elevated interleukin-10 (IL-10) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may aid in early diagnosis and monitoring of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is a rare, diffuse form of primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms and lack of a distinct mass lesion.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old immunocompetent male presented with cognitive decline and gait disturbance.
- Brain MRI showed diffuse leukoencephalopathy; CSF revealed elevated interleukin-10 (IL-10).
Findings:
- Despite high-dose steroids, the patient's condition worsened.
- Biopsy and autopsy confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (lymphomatosis cerebri).
- Serial MRI demonstrated lesion progression correlating with IL-10 levels.
Implications:
- Elevated CSF IL-10 may serve as a potential biomarker for early LC diagnosis.
- CSF IL-10 levels could be valuable for monitoring disease progression in lymphomatosis cerebri.
- This finding may improve management strategies for CNS lymphomas.
Abstract:
A 71-year-old immunocompetent man developed cognitive decline and gait disturbance. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral diffuse leukoencephalopathy without a mass lesion. An analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-10. The condition of the patient progressively deteriorated, and intravenous high-dose steroids proved ineffective. Detection of non-destructive, diffusely infiltrating, large B-cell lymphoma in biopsy and autopsy specimens led to a diagnosis of lymphomatosis cerebri (LC). On serial MRI, the basal ganglia and white matter lesions increased in parallel with the levels of IL-10. These findings suggest that the IL-10 level in the CSF may represent a potentially useful biomarker for the early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease progression in LC.

