Cytokine expression in colon carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Cytokines reflect the activity of the immune system. We analyzed the local expression of characteristic cytokines indicating the level of activity of unspecific inflammatory cells, Th1-cells and Th2-cells in colon cancer.


METHODS
In 25 tumor/ mucosa pairs, IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-15, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were measured by real-time PCR.


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in IL-1alpha, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-alpha and a significant decrease in IL-2 in tumor tissue compared to normal mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
The cytokine profile in colon cancer indicates a strong unspecific inflammatory reaction in the tumor tissue represented by high levels of IL-1 and TNF-alpha. The comparatively low level of IL-2 suggests suppression of a specific immunological reaction, namely Th1-cells. It can be hypothesized that this is a result and/or cause of local immune escape mechanisms. Furthermore, there is an activation of TH2 cells in the carcinomas.
Baier
Peter K
PK
University of Freiburg, Department of Surgery, Freiburg, Germany. baier@chir.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Wolff-Vorbeck
Guido
G
Eggstein
Stephan
S
Baumgartner
Ulrich
U
Hopt
Ulrich T
UT
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D007378:Interleukins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma