Circulating levels of TNF alpha and TNF receptor superfamily members in lymphoid neoplasia.

We have correlated the serum levels of TNF alpha and soluble TNF receptor superfamily members with clinico-pathologic parameters in patients of Hodgkin's disease (HD, N = 26) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHLs, N = 35). HD patients had significantly higher levels of TNF alpha, sTNFRI, and sTNFRII in serum while NHL patients had significantly higher levels of sTNFRI, sTNFRII, sCD27, and sFas as compared to controls. In NHL patients the levels of sCD27 correlated directly and significantly with the high-stage disease, bone marrow involvement, lymph nodal presentation, and serum LDH levels. Similarly in NHL patients, levels of sFas also correlated directly and significantly with the presence of high stage disease. HD patients with B symptoms had significantly higher levels of sTNFRII.