A PROGRESSIVE POSTOPERATIVE INCREASE IN THE SERUM LEVEL OF SOLUBLE RECEPTORS FOR INTERLEUKIN-2 IS AN INDICATOR OF A POOR-PROGNOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC-CANCER

Activated T lymphocytes release a soluble form of IL-2R (SoIL-2R) into the bloodstream, which can be detected by CD25 monoclonal antibody. P erioperative changes of serum levels of SoIL-2R and the number of CD25 -positive cells were monitored simultaneously to clarify the clinical implications of SoIL-2R in patients with gastric cancer (n=91). Preope rative levels of SoIL-2R were significantly higher than in normal cont rols and levels were a useful indicator of possible lymph node involve ment. Postoperative levels of SoIL-2R increased independently of the n umber of CD25-positive cells. Patients with progressive postoperative increases in levels of SoIL-2R had both a significantly high frequency of postoperative relapse and a poor prognosis. Increased SoIL-2R may reduce the availability of IL-2 by binding to it. Postoperative progre ssive increases in SoIL-2R appear to be a good indicator for a poor pr ognosis in patients with gastric cancer.