Cancer-related cognitive dysfunction in multiple myeloma with relation to the interleukin 6 and 10

Introduction: The objective of the research was to investigate neuropsychological consequences of multiple myeloma (MM) and its treatment in relation to the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10). Material and methods: MM patients (n = 30) were examined before treatment and after 4 cycles of chemotherapy. A control group (n = 30) reflected the experimental group in terms of sex and age. In order to assess cognitive functions, the following tools were administered: the Battery of Tests for Assessing Cognitive Functions PU1 and Choynowski’s Memory Scale. Biological variables (IL-6 and IL-10) were tested twice in MM patients with the use of the ELISA test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: With a decrease of IL-6 MM patients performed better in immediate auditory memory, long-term verbal memory, divisibility of attention, verbal fluency, and planning. An increase in IL-10 caused improvement in the area of immediate auditory memory and divisibility of attention. The concentration levels of IL-6 and IL-10 allowed for the prediction of long-term verbal memory functioning and phonemic verbal fluency. Conclusions: Cognitive changes are partially dependent on the levels of IL-6 and IL-10.