Epigenetics & Chromatin

Statement of the Problem & Aim: Th ymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine (TARC or CCL17) is highly expressed by hodgkin and reed sternberg cells secreted into the serum. Therefore, it can be a useful tumor marker of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Our aim is to study the value of serum TARC concentrations in the course of treatment and follow up in patients with cHL.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We enrolled 613 patients diagnosed with cHL, who were treated by the National Institute of Oncology, Hungary between 2011 and 2018. Serum TARC levels were determined with a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique (R&D Systems, Biotechne, Minneapolis, MN). Measurements were carried out in 3 month intervals following diagnosis and 6 month intervals aft er 3 years. In 241 cases, serum TARC concentrations were determined before therapy, as well. Total number of measurements was taken in 2015. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for comparison of healthy controls (n=168) and patients with active disease status before treatment (n=241).

Results: The cut-off value was 637 pg/ml with 90.9% sensitivity and 98.2% specifi city. During follow-ups the median serum TARC value was 14350 pg/ml in patients with active disease status. In case of complete remission it was 401 pg/ml. ROC curve analysis of active versus complete remission groups showed a high 85.6% sensitivity and 93.7% specificity with a 936 pg/ml cut-off value.

Conclusion & Significance: Our data confi rmed the usefulness of TARC determination in the course of treatment and follow-up. TARC may be a potential marker for early response assessment and may be able to predict potential relapse of the disease. Determination of serum TARC concentrations with high sensitivity and cost-effi cacy is highly recommended for monitoring and at diagnosis of cHL patients.