Prognostic Significance of IL-10 in Childhood Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Abstract

Background: The proposal of the present study was to assess the cytokine imbalances such as serum levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TGF-1 in childhood chronic ITP during the thrombocytopenic and spontaneous remission phases. The findings of this study are anticipated to offer new insights into the pathogenesis of childhood chronic ITP and the prognostic factors involved in spontaneous remission. Methods: Ten children with chronic ITP, 6 thrombocytopenic and 4 recovered cases, were enrolled. Five healthy children and eight healthy adults were included in this study as controls. The serum levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TGF- 1 were measured by ELISA technique. Results: During this study, four patients achieved spontaneous remission. The serum level of IL-10 was higher in the patients that recovered spontaneously compared to the patients with persistent chronic thrombocytopenia. The serum level of IL-2 was not able to be detected as the levels were too low for analysis. TGF- 1 showed no significant differences among the groups in this study. Conclusion: These data suggest that increased serum level of IL-10 could have prognostic significance in the natural course and long-term outcome of childhood chronic ITP.