INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR AND OVARIAN-CANCER

Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) can be detected in serum. We estimated the IL-2R in the serum of 78 women, of whom 30 were diagnosed as havin g malignant ovarian tumours, five had non ovarian tumours, one had a n egative second look laparotomy, 11 had benign ovarian tumours, three h ad uterine fibroids and 28 were age-matched controls. The results indi cated that the serum IL-2R of these patients was significantly elevate d in ovarian cancer patients compared to both controls (P < 0.0001) an d benign ovarian tumours (P < 0.0002). There were no significant diffe rences in IL-2R levels between stage of disease and degree of differen tiation within the ovarian tumour group.