THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2, SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTORS, SOLUBLE ICAM-1 AND BETA(2)-MICROGLOBULIN IN BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS

The serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 (sIL-2), sIL-2 receptors (sI L-2R), beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) and soluble intercellular adhe sion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were measured by the ELISA technique in 129 breast cancer patients and 40 controls, The median serum levels of sIL 2-R, beta(2)M and sICAM-1 were significantly higher and sIL-2 signific antly lower than controls. sIL-2R, sICAM-1 and beta(2)M levels were si gnificantly higher in patients with metastatic disease compared to pat ients on longterm follow-up with no active disease, Initial study meas urements of these markers could not identify patients at high risk for relapse, These findings suggest that the sIL-2R level is indicative o f metastatic disease and together with other parameters of immune acti vation may be of help in monitoring disease activity in breast cancer patients.