title: Helper T lymphocyte response in the peripheral blood of patients with intraepithelial neoplasia submitted to immunotherapy with pegylated interferon-α.
abstract: Immunotherapy in cancer patients is a very promising treatment and the development of new protocols and the study of the mechanisms of regression is imperative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of cytokines in helper T (CD4+) lymphocytes during immunotherapy with pegylated IFN-α in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). We conducted a prospective study with 17 patients with CIN II-III using immunotherapy with pegylated IFN-α subcutaneouly weekly, and using flow cytometry we evaluated the peripheric CD4+ T lymphocytes. The results show that in the regression group the patients presented a significant increase in the amount of IFN-γ during the entire immunotherapy, compared with the group without a response. The amount of CD4+ T lymphocytes positive for IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β is significantly lower in patients with good clinical response. The results also demonstrate that patients with regression have a higher amount of intracellular TNF-α in CD4+ T lymphocytes before the start of treatment. Analyzing these data sets, it can be concluded that immunotherapy is a viable clinical treatment for patients with high-grade CIN and that the regression is dependent on the change in the immune response to a Th1 pattern.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of the TriânguloMineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38022-200, Brazil. michelinimuno@icbn.uftm.edu.br.|Discipline of Immunology, UFTM, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38022-200, Brazil. michelinimuno@icbn.uftm.edu.br.
authors.forename: Márcia Antoniazi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Michelin
authors.affiliation: Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of the TriânguloMineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38022-200, Brazil. letsmontes@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Letícia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Montes
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UFTM, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38022-200, Brazil. rosekeila@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Rosekeila Simões
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Nomelini
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UFTM, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38022-200, Brazil. marcotrovo@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Marco Aurélio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Trovó
authors.affiliation: Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of the TriânguloMineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38022-200, Brazil. eddiemurta@mednet.com.br.|Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UFTM, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38022-200, Brazil. eddiemurta@mednet.com.br.
authors.forename: Eddie Fernando Candido
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Murta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007378:Interleukins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b