Th2 subset dominance among peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with digestive cancers.
BACKGROUND
Two types of helper T cells (Th), which are categorized as Th1 and Th2 on the basis of cytokine production, have been reported. Th1 cells produce interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, while Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10. We assessed the intracellular cytokine profiles of CD3/CD4 positive lymphocytes (CD4+ T-cells) in peripheral blood in patients with digestive cancers.


METHODS
Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 patients with digestive cancers and 35 healthy volunteers. The proportions of CD4+ T-cells producing intracellular cytokines were determined using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
The percentages (mean +/- SD) of CD4+ T-cells producing IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in the cancer group (73.9% +/- 13.0%, 73.0% +/- 16.6%, and 58.0% +/- 21.0%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the healthy group (37.4% +/- 12.4%, 37.8% +/- 13.5%, and 34.0% +/- 14.1%, respectively; P <0.01). Proportions of CD4+ T-cells producing IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in 10 patients undergoing curative resection had decreased significantly 1 month after surgery (P <0.01). No significant difference was noted between groups in the percentages of CD4+ T-cells producing IFN-gamma.


CONCLUSIONS
Th2-dominant status develops in cancer patients. Such lymphocyte evaluations could find applications in diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of cancer patients.
Tabata
T
T
Department of Surgery II, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
Hazama
S
S
Yoshino
S
S
Oka
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007378:Interleukins; D007371:Interferon-gamma