Analysis of Th1 and Th2 cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a parameter of immunological dysfunction in advanced cancer patients

Goto, S Sato, M Kaneko, R Itoh, M Sato, S Takeuchi, S

S. Goto et al., Analysis of Th1 and Th2 cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a parameter of immunological dysfunction in advanced cancer patients, CANCER IMMU, 48(8), 1999, pp. 435-442

35

INGLESE

Article

Onconogenesis & Cancer Research

CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY

0340-7004 → ACNP

48

8

1999

435 - 442

ISI

0340-7004(199911)48:8<435:AOTATC>2.0.ZU;2-3

Purpose: The presence of immunological dysfunction has not been well demons trated in cancer patients. Recent studies have revealed that the immune res ponse can be classified into types 1 and 2, and in the present work the imm unological function of patients was studied from the perspective of these t wo types of response. Methods: Types 1 and 2 immune response were evaluated by monitoring the production of various cytokines by peripheral blood mono nuclear cells from 38 patients with advanced cancer of various organs and 2 0 healthy subjects. The usual immunological parameters, differential cell l eukocyte counts, the level of T cell subsets (CD4 and CD8) and natural kill er activity were also examined. Results: The production of interleukin-2 (I L-2), interferon gamma, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha was fo und to be significantly lower in the patients (75 +/- 57, 171 +/- 205, 40 /- 34, 8 +/- 8, 1450 +/- 1010 pg/ml) than in healthy subjects (143 +/- 99, 422 +/- 296, 64 +/- 34. 16 +/- 10, 2550 +/- 950 pg/ml); however, the mean l evel of IL-4 in the patients seemed to be higher. The correlations between different cytokine levels suggested that they were produced differently. Ly mphocyte counts were significantly lower in patients, but there was no diff erence in the other usual immunological parameters. Conclusions: Patients w ith advanced cancer are deficient in monocytes and the type 1 immune respon se. The measurement of various cytokines reported in this study provides a more sensitive and valuable tool for evaluating the function of cell-mediat ed immunity in cancer patients than do the usual tests.