Interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma levels within the peritoneal cavity of patients with gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Immune status in the peritoneal cavity of patients with gastric cancer remains largely unknown. To clarify the clinical significance of the host immune response within the peritoneal cavity, we examined the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a type 1 cytokine, and interleukin-10 (IL-10), a type 2 cytokine, in peritoneal washings obtained from patients with gastric cancer.


METHODS
Both the concentrations of IFN-gamma and of IL-10 in peritoneal washings obtained during surgery from 56 patients with gastric cancer were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The IFN-gamma level was not correlated with the IL-10 level. The IL-10 level increased in a stage-dependent manner. The high IL-10 level correlated with an unfavorable outcome, whereas there was no relationship between the IFN-gamma level and survival rate. However, among the stage III-IV cancer patients, the high IFN-gamma level correlated with a favorable outcome, while there was no relationship between the IL-10 level and survival rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the IL-10 level increases with tumor progression, the outcome of patients with advanced gastric cancer may be affected by the IFN-gamma level, but not by the IL-10 level, in the peritoneal cavity.
Majima
T
T
Department of Surgery/National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan. majima@ndmc.ac.jp
Ichikura
T
T
Seki
S
S
Takayama
E
E
Hiraide
H
H
Mochizuki
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate
D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma