Immunity profile in breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the multifactorial pathogenesis of malignant transformation, it is assumed that deficiency in some immune mechanisms plays a considerable role in its development.


BACKGROUND
Chronically activated immune cells exert tumour-promoting effects directly by influencing the proliferation and survival of neoplastic cells, as well as by indirect modulation of neoplastic microenvironments in favour of tumour progression.


METHODS
We refer to results of two separate investigations that aim to monitor the immune functions in patients with breast cancer. In the first investigation, we compare the picture of basic cellular immunity profile of patients in early stage of breast cancer with those suffering from advanced disease; in the second one, we compare the production of Th1-cytokines in patients in different stages of breast cancer and atopic healthy controls.


RESULTS
We recognized that the totals of T-lymphocytes and T-helpers were lower and the expression of HLADR on T-lymphocytes were higher in patients with advanced disease; the expression of IL-2 and LFN-gamma by T-lymphocytes was decreased in metastatic breast cancer patients, however IL-2 production was increased in patients in early stage of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the role of immune system in cancer development is ambivalent as it may be not only protective, but also harmful (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 22). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
Hrubisko
M
M
Institute of Laboratory Medicine, St. Elizabeth University College of Health and Social Work, and St. Elizabeth Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia. mahrubisko@ousa.sk
Sanislo
L
L
Zuzulova
M
M
Michalickova
J
J
Zeleznikova
T
T
Sedlak
J
J
Bella
V
V
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma