Serum immunoglobulin subclass levels in non-hodgkin's lymphoma in Ibadan, South western Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Change in immunoglobulin (Ig) subclass levels, a manifestation of altered immune status, is thought to contribute to pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Furthermore, pretreatment Ig level in NHL patients scheduled to receive immunotherapy has prognostic significance. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to provide information on the levels of Ig subclass in patients with NHL in our center. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with NHL over an 8-month period was conducted. Controls were apparently healthy voluntary blood donors. Clinical information and results of hematology and clinical biochemistry investigations were retrieved from patients' case notes. The working formulation classification was used to subtype the NHL. Serum IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE concentrations were assayed for for the levels in patients and controls. RESULTS: A total of 68 participants (cases n = 35, controls – 33) were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 48.67 ± 17.3 years (range: 18–85). The hematological and clinical biochemistry results were within reference values for the population except hematocrit (Hct) which was low (28% ± 7%) and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 72 mm/h (interquartile range [IQR] – 52.0–100.0). IgD levels were significantly lower in the cases than the controls (P = 0.029) with a Cohen's medium effect size. There was a significant drop in IgE from Stage I to III of the disease (χ2(3) = 7.93, P = 0.047). Furthermore, there were significant positive correlations between IgD, IgA, IgM, and Hct and platelets. CONCLUSION: Immune paresis is associated with progressive disease or late clinical presentation, and this should be taken into consideration when managing these patients.