Abstract: ObjectiveThe study was aimed to analyze the changing expression levels of Th22 Cells and its cytokines in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its clinical significance. MethodsClinical data of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia received treatment at our hospital from 2008 to 2014 was analyzed as Group A. The healthy controls were enrolled as Group B. ResultsA total of 78 patients were analyzed, Group A consisted of 43 cases and Group B 35 cases. Group A had lower level of Th22 cells, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-22 than these of Group B (P<0.001), and had a higher levels of TGF-β than that of Group B (P<0.001). After treatment, Group A patients had a significant improvement in Th22 cells, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-22 (P<0.001), and a great decrease in TGF-β (P<0.001). The correlation analysis indicated the level of IL-22 Group A had a significant positive correlation with the level of TNF-α (r =0.699,P<0 .001), and a significant negative correlation with the level of TGF-β (r =-0.731,P<0.001). Group A patients were divided into two groups by the levels of Th22 cells as Group A1 (≥0.71) and Group A2 (<0.71). Group A1 patients had lower recurrence rate than that of Group A2 (9.09%,2/22 vs 38.10%,8/21;Log-rank χ2 =3.963,P =0.047). ConclusionThe decrease of Th22 cells and down-regulation of IL-22 expression level may be related with pathogenesis of acute lymphocytic leukemia, and can be used in evaluating treatment effects.

Key words: Acute, lymphocytic, leukemia, Cytokines, T, lymphocyte, Chemotherapy