BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a potential curative option for the treatment of various hematologic diseases. Poor hematopoietic reconstitution (PHR) is a common and serious complicating disease after allo-HSCT. The authors conducted a case-control study to determine the potential value of serum interleukin (IL)-6 and procalcitonin (PCT) levels during the peritransplantation period in predicting PHR after allo-HSCT.

METHODS: The concentrations of IL-6 and PCT were compared, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the optimal cutoff values. Sensitivity and specificity were subsequently calculated.

RESULTS: In our study, the levels of IL-6 and PCT were significantly elevated in patients with PHR compared to those in good hematopoietic restitution (GHR). The logistic regression analysis revealed that IL-6 and PCT posttransplantation were significant predictors of PHR after allo-HSCT. The calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) of IL-6 and PCT in predicting PHR was 0.805 and 0.724, respectively. The optimal cutoff values for PHR were 41.8 pg/mL and 0.404 ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 73.7% and 52.6% and a specificity of 81% and 85.7%, respectively. The AUC-ROC of IL-6 combined with PCT for predicting the PHR was 0.801, with a sensitivity of 75.4% and a specificity of 77.8%.

CONCLUSION: IL-6 and PCT can serve as potential biomarkers to predict PHR after allo-HSCT.