[Vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin 6 production by Hodgkin lymphoma].

A 20-year-old man complained of fever, general lymphadenopathy, severe lumbago, and gynecomastia in January 2003. The diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma was confirmed by biopsy specimens of the right supraclavicular lymph node. The clinical stage was IIIB, and the prognostic score was 3. Plasma levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were elevated to 446 pg/mL, and 1,710 pg/mL,respectively. Six-course combination chemotherapy with the ABVD regimen was initiated,and a complete response (CR) was achieved. Clinical signs disappeared and plasma levels of IL-6 and VEGF decreased to 5.0 pg/mL and 100 pg/mL, respectively. The patient remained in CR as of December 2006. Elevated IL-6 and VEGF may be appropriate tumor markers for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.