title: Diminished interleukin-2 activity production in cancer patients bearing solid tumors and its relationship with natural killer cells.
abstract: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity production by stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from solid tumor bearing cancer patients was lower than in normal subjects. Natural-killer (NK) cell activity in the PBL of cancer patients was very significantly correlated to IL-2 activity production (P less than 0.001). These results might suggest a central role for IL-2 in the immune dysfunctions in cancer patients, and the possible use of IL-2 as an immunological response modifier in these patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins