Assessment of IL-10/IL-6 ratio in differential diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma – a case series report

Aim of the study
To analyze the clinical applicability of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) ratio assessment in intraocular fluids for the diagnosis of vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Material and methods
The data of the patients who underwent a diagnostic vitrectomy or anterior chamber fluid aspiration because of the clinical suspicion of vitreoretinal lymphoma at the Department of Ophthalmology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), between 2016 and 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent full ophthalmological examination including ultrasound prior to the surgery. Routine histopathology examination and flow cytometry were performed in obtained vitreous samples or aqueous humor aspirate as well as the evaluation of IL-6 and IL-10 ratio (IL-10 : IL-6) with the ELISA assay.

Results
There were 7 patients: 3 women, 4 men in the mean age of 67 years (range: 60-81 years). In 2 cases, primary vitreous involvement was suspected, and in another 5, secondary. In 4 cases DLBCL (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) was diagnosed. In 4 patients, the IL-10/IL-6 ratio was above 1.0, in 3 others - below 1.0. The median follow-up was 23 months (range: 2-82 months). 5 lymphoma patients died 13 months after ophthalmic diagnosis due to disease progression.

Conclusions
The assessment of IL-10 and IL-6 ratio may be a valuable tool facilitating the diagnosis of vitreoretinal lymphoma in some patients.