Perioperative immunotherapy with recombinant interleukin 2 in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.
Major surgery impairs the cellular immune response. We have therefore studied the immunological effects of low-dose recombinant interleukin 2 given to patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer to determine whether this agent has potential in perioperative adjuvant immunotherapy. Patients were randomly allocated to control (n = 13) or treatment groups (n = 12). Immunological studies of both lymphocyte function and subset number were performed preoperatively and on Days 1, 4, 7, and 10. Treatment with recombinant interleukin 2 prevented the postoperative fall in both natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity, clearly demonstrated in the control group. The treatment group also showed in vivo T-cell activation with an initial lymphopenia followed by a rebound lymphocytosis and upregulation of the subset markers CD25 (interleukin 2 receptor) and CD45RO (T-memory cells). These combined effects may have important consequences in controlling metastatic dissemination of tumor during the vulnerable perioperative period.
Nichols
P H
PH
Academic Unit of Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, United Kingdom.
Ramsden
C W
CW
Ward
U
U
Sedman
P C
PC
Primrose
J N
JN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets
D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins