Summary We have investigated the secretion of interferon a (IFN-a). IFN-y, interleukin-1 a (IL-1a), IL-15, IL-2 and tumour necrosis factor a (TNF-a) in whole blood cell cultures (WBCCs) of colorectal cancer patients upon mitogen stimulation. Whereas the values for IL-1i and TNFa remained virtually unchanged in comparison with healthy control subjects, WBCCs of colorectal cancer patients secreted significantty lower amounts of IFN-a (P < 0.005), IFN-y(P < 0.0001), IL-1 a (P < 0.0001) and IL-2 (P < 0.05). This reduction correlated with the progression of the disease. The total leucocyte and monocyte population were almost identical in both groups. In contrast. a dramatic depletion of lymphocytes was observed in colorectal cancer patients, which affected both lymphocyte counts (P < 0.0005) and their distribution (P < 0.0001). Our results suggest a selective suppression of cytokines in colorectal cancer patients that is related to tumour burden. Several mechanisms might account for this phenomenon. one of which might be lymphocyte depletion. al. 1990al. : Fischer et al. 1994). We recentl1 show-ed that a decrease in IL-2 production in whole blood cell cultures (WBCCs) is correlated with a poor survixal rate in small-cell lung cancer patients (Fischer et al. 1997). underlining the importance of an exactlv balanced equilibrium of cvtokine concentrations.In the present report wxe inx estigated cx tokine secretion bv peripheral leucocytes in patients w ith colorectal cancer. We provide exidence that the lexels of IFN-a. IFN-y. IL MATERIALS AND METHODS PatientsBlood samples were tak-en from -4 healthy x olunteers (mean age 52 years. range 29-62) and from 28 patients (17 male. 11 female) wxith histologicallv confirmed colorectal carcinoma (mean age 67 -ears. range 40-82). In 13 patients early stages w ere diacnosed (Dukes' A and B). whereas 15 showxed progressed stages of colorectal carcinoma (Dukes' C and D). None of the patients had receixed chemoor radiotherapy before the time wxhen blood w as taken.
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