Analysis of type T1 and T2 cytokines in patients with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND. It has been proposed that a dysregulation in the balance betwee n type T1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and type T2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines may be impl icated in the development of cancer. METHODS. We determined the expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma i n CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes by flow cytometry in 12 patients with prostate ca ncer and in 7 healthy subjects. In addition to the basal expression of thes e cytokines, their expression was also determined, following stimulation of lymphocytes with PMA (phorbol 12-mystirate 13 acetate) and ionomycin. RESULTS. The basal expression of cytokines was scarce, while following stim ulation this increased markedly. On the other hand, there was a dysregulati on in the balance between T1 and T2 lymphocytes in patients with prostate c ancer. To this effect, in relation to healthy subjects, we observed an incr ease in IL-10 expression and a decrease in IL-2 expression. CONCLUSIONS. The disequilibrium observed in the balance between type T1 and type T2 cytokines may be implicated in the evolution of neoplastic disease . (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.