An assessment of the immunological environment based on intratumoral cytokine production in renal cell carcinoma

Objective To assess the immunological relationship between tumour and host, focusing on the production of T-cell helper (Th) subset-derived cytokines in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Patients and methods The study comprised 35 patients (19 men and 16 women, mean age 56.9 sears, range 39-78) with RCC, who had undergone nephrectomy. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, the levels of Th1-derived cytokin es were measured, including interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, and Th2-derived cytokines, including IL-4. IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and others. Results There was no detectable IL-2 or IFN-gamma production (below the det ection limit) except in two patients: IL-4 nas produced in 18 patients (51% ) and of these, 15 (43%) showed a higher level than the mean. IL-5 was prod uced in 12 patients (34%), all of whom showed a higher level than the mean, and IL-6 nas produced in 32 (91%) of whom 10 (29%) showed a higher level t han the mean, IL-10 was detected in 28 patients (80%) of whom ii (40%) show ed a higher level than the mean. The production of these cytokines was clos ely related to the stage and grade of malignancy, Furthermore, there were s ignificant correlations between the level of production of IL-4 and IL-5 (r (2)=0.92), IG-l and IL-10 (r(2)=0.91), and IL-5 and IL-10 (r(2)=0.85), Conclusion The intratumoral immunological environment in patients with RCC shows a tendency to produce Th2-related cytokines in accordance with the st age and grade: this suggests a role in humoral but not in cellular immunity .