Analysis of type T1 and T2 cytokines in patients with prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
It has been proposed that a dysregulation in the balance between type T1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and type T2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines may be implicated in the development of cancer.


METHODS
We determined the expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma in CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes by flow cytometry in 12 patients with prostate cancer and in 7 healthy subjects. In addition to the basal expression of these cytokines, their expression was also determined, following stimulation of lymphocytes with PMA (phorbol 12-mystirate 13 acetate) and ionomycin.


RESULTS
The basal expression of cytokines was scarce, while following stimulation this increased markedly. On the other hand, there was a dysregulation in the balance between T1 and T2 lymphocytes in patients with prostate cancer. To this effect, in relation to healthy subjects, we observed an increase in IL-10 expression and a decrease in IL-2 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The disequilibrium observed in the balance between type T1 and type T2 cytokines may be implicated in the evolution of neoplastic disease.
Filella
X
X
Unit for Cancer Research, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. xfiella@clinic.ub.es
Alcover
J
J
Zarco
M A
MA
Beardo
P
P
Molina
R
R
Ballesta
A M
AM
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D015759:Ionomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D007376:Interleukin-2; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015759:Ionomycin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate