Effect of thalidomide on the efficacy of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and the expressions of Th17 cells and related cytokines

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of thalidomide on the expressions of Th17 cells, interleukin 17 (IL-17), macrophage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP3α) in peripheral blood of patients with diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and 3-year survival rate. Methods Sixty patients with DLBCL from January 2009 to January 2013 in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering were enrolled. According to envelope method, the patients were randomly divided into the combined group (n = 30, thalidomide combined with CHOP regimen) and chemotherapy group (n = 30, CHOP regimen alone). Clinical adverse reactions, efficacy, the expressions of Th17 cells, IL-17, MIP3α in peripheral blood before and after treatment, and 3-year survival rate between two groups were compared. Results The total effective rate and 3-year survival rate were 73.3% (22/30) vs. 46.7% (14/30), 87.4% vs. 40.7% respectively in the combined group and the chemotherapy group (both P 0.05). The levels of IL-17 and MIP3α mRNA in peripheral serum before and after treatment in the combined group were 8.51±0.23 vs.13.96±0.89, 27.4±1.5 vs. 83.0±8.5 (both P 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the adverse reactions between the combined group and the chemotherapy group (P > 0.05). Conclusion Thalidomide may prolong survival time of DLBCL patients by intervening Th17 cells and associated cytokines. Key words: Lymphoma, large B-cell, diffuse; Drug therapy, combination; Thalidomide; Th17 cells; Survival period