Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles in malignant pleural effusion.
BACKGROUND
The alteration of Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels is the subject of controversy in pleural effusions caused by malignancy, a situation that favors a Th2 immune response.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the different levels of IL-4 and IL-10 (Th2 cytokines), and IL-2 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (Th1 cytokines) in malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions.


METHODS
The cytokine levels in pleural fluid of 62 patients with malignant pleural effusion (44 with lung cancer and 18 with extrathoracic tumors), 8 with tuberculous and 8 with congestive heart failure pleural effusion were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.


RESULTS
IL-2 was below the detectable concentration of the assay. A significant decrease in IFN-γ level was observed in malignant but not in congestive heart failure cases compared to tuberculous cases. IL-10 levels were higher in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions than in congestive heart failure pleural effusions, however, this difference did not reach the significant level. IL-4 levels were also increased non-significantly in lung cancer pleural effusions compared to the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show a wide variation in IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels in malignant pleural effusions, a pattern which was not convincing enough to differentiate the cause of effusion.
Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, e-mail: mojtahediz@sums.ac.ir.
Mohammad Ali
MA
Ghayumi
Zahra
Z
Mojtahedi
Mohammad Javad
MJ
Fattahi
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000378:metabolism; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines