RT-PCR analysis of immune-modulating factors in PBMCs from patients with cancer: Reduced IL-2 and increased IL-2-receptor (p55) expression characterize gastroenteric neoplasms

Background: To determine the potential contribution of cytokines associated with lymphocyte activation to the pathogenesis of immune impairment in gas troenteric cancer, we examined the expression of cytokine mRNA in periphera l blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and rumor-draining lymph nodes (LNs). Mat erial and Methods: Using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, mRNA transcripts for interleukin (IL)-4, IL-2, IL-5, IL -6, IL-1 beta IFN gamma, IL-10 and IL-2-receptor(IL-2R) (p55) were defected in PBMCs from 16 patients with gastroenteric cancer, undergoing surgical r esection, and from 13 healthy donors. Results: Patients expressed a differe nt pattern of cytokines. Significantly increased IL-2R(p55) and reduced IL- 2 mRNA expression were found in patients (p=0.034, p=0.043). IL-10 expressi on was significantly correlated to IL-2R(p55) expression in both groups (p= 0.011, p=0.009). In LNs, the results reflected those from PBMCs of the same patient. Conclusions: Gastroenteric cancer showed a suppressive pattern of cytokine expression, suggesting an impairment of T cell activation that ca n be evidenced from the specific pattern of PBMC cytokine expression.