Interleukin-12 and interleukin-10 production by mononuclear phagocytic cells from breast cancer patients

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Interleukin 12 (IL-12) generation may be regulat ed by a complex monocyte and macrophage-derived cytokine network and an imp airment of the immune system can be observed in neoplastic disease. In this study, we examined the production of these cytokines by phagocytic cells, obtained from breast cancer (BCa)-bearing patients. Our results suggest tha t an increased IL-10 formation may represent an important regulatory pathwa y of IL-12 production by BCa mononuclear cells. In this report, we show tha t mononuclear cells of patients affected by breast cancer have a defective IL-12 production capability while generating higher amounts of IL-10. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.