Interleukins 2 and 12 activate natural killer cytolytic responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the capacity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) to modulate the cytolytic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells against squamous cell carcinoma, and to determine whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors respond differently to IL-12 than do peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Case-comparison study of a consecutive sample of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who were scheduled to undergo surgical excision.


METHODS
The study included 10 patients with stage III or IV carcinoma matched with 10 volunteer blood donors.


METHODS
Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients and volunteers were treated with IL-2, 10 U/mL and 100 U/mL; IL-12, 1 U/mL or 10 U/mL; or a combination of IL-2 and IL-12.


RESULTS
The combination of IL-2 and IL-12 consistently produced the greatest activation cytolysis than either cytokine alone at all concentrations tested. This increased activity against a squamous cell carcinoma cell line was seen in lymphocytes from volunteers and patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest a new treatment regimen for the patient with head and neck cancer that uses immunomodulation with a combination of cytokines.
Rashleigh
S P
SP
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, School of Medicine, Tampa, USA.
Kusher
D I
DI
Endicott
J N
JN
Rossi
A R
AR
Djeu
J Y
JY
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D007376:Interleukin-2; D018664:Interleukin-12