The biological significance of soluble interleukin-2 receptors in solid tumors.
In an attempt to further understand the biological significance of soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2R) in solid tumors, we have evaluated 160 cancer patients (breast: 40; lung: 66; colon: 18; stomach: 22; uterine cervix: 14) and 58 healthy subjects, as controls. Serum mean levels of sIL-2R, measured with an enzyme immunoassay, were significantly higher in cancer patients than in controls. Metastatic cancer patients showed significantly higher values than the non-metastatic ones; this difference was significant in all tumor histotypes, except small cell lung carcinoma. Moreover, in 15 patients in whom sIL-2R were evaluated either before or after radical surgery, a significant surgery-induced increase in sIL-R mean values was seen. Finally, the chemotherapy-induced rise in sIL-2R appeared to be associated with a lack of clinical response. These results seem to suggest that sIL-2R may be a marker of host biological response in patients with solid tumors, the significance of which needs further investigation.
Lissoni
P
P
Divisione di Radioterapia Oncologica, Ospedale S. Gerardo, Milano, Italy.
Barni
S
S
Rovelli
F
F
Viviani
S
S
Maestroni
G J
GJ
Conti
A
A
Tancini
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D012995:Solubility
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2