Enhanced Serum Levels of β-2-Microglobulin, Neopterin, and Interferon-γ in Patients Treated with Recombinant Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Abstract

The effect of different doses of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α (rTNF-α) on serum levels of neopterin, β-2-microglobulin and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was investigated in tumor patients. Twelve patients with advanced malignant disease were treated and received single doses of either 1, 10, or 100 μg/m2 rTNF-α on days 0 and 7. Neopterin, β-2-microglobulin and IFN-γ serum levels were measured from day -2 to day 12 of the study. Application of rTNF-α leads to a marked and dose-dependent increase of neopterin and β-2-microglobulin levels; no rTNF-α-dependent changes were observed after 1 μg/m², and maximum increments were seen in patients receiving 100 μg/m². Serum levels of both parameters peaked after 2 days and returned to baseline values within 1 week. IFN-γ levels were also elevated after application of rTNF-α. We failed, however, to demonstrate a clear correlation between the serum levels of IFN-γ, β-2-microglobulin, and neopterin because of the wide range of pre- and posttreatment levels of IFN-γ. We conclude that neopterin and β-2-microglobulin represent useful markers for monitoring biological response to treatment with rTNF-α.