title: Evaluation of phagocytic-activity in neoplastic patients treated with subcutaneous recombinant IL-2.
abstract: Immunostimulating and immunosuppresive events have been noted during rIL-2 immunotherapy and cell-mediated immune deficiencies have been reported in the neutrophil and monocyte functions, determining a high incidence of infections in patients during intravenous rIL-2 treatment. The phagocytic activity of monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes was evaluated in 10 advanced solid tumor patients treated with subcutaneous rIL-2. Several indirect parameters of phagocytosis were also considered, such as Neopterin, Beta2 microglobulin, IL-2 soluble receptor, and the C3 and C4 fractions of the complement system. A decreased phagocytosis was demonstrated after subcutaneous rIL-2 administration together with an increase of indirect parameters of granulocyte/macrophage activity. Therefore, cellular activation does not seem to correspond to actual phagocytosis which is probably due to IL-2-induced secondary cytokines or to rIL-2 inhibitory effects.
authors.affiliation: ONCOL INST,DIV MED ONCOL,BARI,ITALY. ONCOL INST,ANAL LAB,IMMUNOL UNIT,BARI,ITALY.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Musci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casamassima
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Latorre
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Addabbo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dragone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cattedra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delena