Plasma PGE-2 levels and altered cytokine profiles in adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
BACKGROUND
PGE-2 is constitutively produced by many non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and its immunosuppressive effects have been linked to altered immune responses in lung cancer. We asked whether elevated levels of plasma PGE-2 correlated with monocyte IL10 production in the NSCLC environment. Looking for correlation in NSCLC patient blood we assayed plasma from NSCLC patients for PGE2 and IL10; we further evaluated production of IL10 by adherent mononuclear cells from a subset of these patients looking for an altered cytokine profile.


RESULTS
Our initial in vitro experiments show that monocyte IL10 induction correlates with tumor cell PGE-2 production, confirming similar reports in the literature. Data show plasma PGE-2 levels in 38 NSCLC patients are elevated compared to normal controls. Plasma IL10 levels were not significantly elevated; however, adherent monocytes derived from NSCLC patient blood did produce significantly more IL10 in 24 hr primary culture than those from normal controls (p < 0.01). The association of elevated plasma PGE-2 and monocyte derived IL-10 was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated plasma PGE-2 and monocyte IL10 production are associated with NSCLC. The biological significance to elevated PGE-2 levels in NSCLC are unclear. Further investigation of each as a nonspecific marker for NSCLC tumor is warranted.
Hidalgo
Giovanna E
GE
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Lexington Veteran's Administration Medical Center, University of Kentucky, Chandler Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA. ghida2@pop.uky.edu
Zhong
Li
L
Doherty
Dennis E
DE
Hirschowitz
Edward A
EA
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*
D016207:Cytokines; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015232:Dinoprostone