title: Inhibitory effect of interleukin-3 on interleukin-2-induced cortisol release in the immunotherapy of cancer.
abstract: The stimulatory effect of IL-2 on cortisol rise represents an undesirable biological event during IL-2 cancer immunotherapy. At present, no cytokine has been proven to be able to counteract IL-2-induced cortisol increase. This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of IL-3 on IL-2 stimulation of cortisol secretion. Five lung cancer patients were investigated after IL-2 (3 x 10(6) IU s.c.), after IL-3 (1 mcg/kg b.w. i.v.) and after IL-3 plus IL-2, by administering IL-3 two hours before IL-2 injection. IL-2 significantly stimulated cortisol secretion. IL-3 alone had no effect on cortisol levels. The pretreatment with IL-3 completely neutralizes IL-2-induced cortisol release. These preliminary results would suggest that IL-3 may be associated with IL-2 during cancer immunotherapy to modulate the effect of IL-2 on the endocrine system.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lissoni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tancini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tisi
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rivolta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brivio
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006854:Hydrocortisone