IL10 high-producer-haplotypes were reduced in ALL-patients compared with healthy controls and resulted in a reduced relapse rate compared with low-producer haplotypes.
In comparison with T-lineage ALL specimens, expression of IL-10, IFN-gamma, IL-15Ralpha, and Flt1 was significantly higher in B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL specimens (P <0.01).
Most cases of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) (7/8 cases) and all cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 2), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (n = 5), both in chronic phase and during blast crisis, expressed the mRNA for TNF-alpha and IL-10.
Of note, bone marrow (BM) from patients with ALL revealed high contents of preactivated CD56<sup>high</sup> NK cells expressing CRTAM and endowed with an exhaustion-like phenotype and the functional capability of producing IL-10 and TGF-β in vitro.
The secretion of IL-10 by leukaemic cells, and the absence or downregulation of conventional adhesion and costimulatory molecules might represent an effective mechanism of escape of immune surveillance in relapsed ALL.
We conclude that IL-10 genotype might influence prednisone response in patients with childhood ALL, whereas TNF genotype seems to influence the risk of relapse in high risk ALL patients.