Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of a particular immunological profile in individuals long-term infected with HTLV-1, followed presenting different clinical courses. Materials & methods: Forty-eight individuals were evaluated for 19 cytokines analyzed in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients with HTLV-1 presenting with and without neurological symptoms. Results: Proinflammatory cytokines and the chemokine ligand 11 (ITAC/CXCL11) were increased in individuals with HTLV-1 coursing with neurological symptoms. Conclusion: Different cytokines’ expression profile in the presence of neurological symptoms may help to understand and characterize the progression for severe clinical presentations.