Serum Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor Levels in Patients with Breast Cancer

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor as a predictive and prognostic marker for patients with familial breast cancer

The incidence of breast cancer increases annually, and it has become common within families of breast cancer patients. Interleukin-2 activates cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which are important for cancer immunity. To identify markers of increased familial breast cancer risk, soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels and immunologic factors were investigated in familial breast cancer and non-familial breast cancer patients. Of 106 untreated breast cancer patients in this study, 24 had familial breast cancer and 82 had non-familial breast cancer. The patients' soluble interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-17, regulatory T cell, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, white blood cell, and C-reactive protein levels, and their neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios were measured, and their prognoses were compared according to the soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels. Additionally, postoperative tissues from the patients with high soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels were stained with programmed cell death ligand 1 and cluster of differentiation 8. The soluble interleukin-2 receptor level in the familial breast cancer patients was significantly higher, and it showed significantly stronger correlations with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the interleukin-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-17, regulatory T cell, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, white blood cell, and C-reactive protein levels, than in the non-familial breast cancer patients. The regulatory T cell and myeloid-derived suppressor cell levels were significantly higher in the patients with high soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels, and the overall survival and disease-free-survival rates were significantly worse for the familial breast cancer patients than for the non-familial breast cancer patients. Triple-negative breast cancer tissues from the familial breast cancer patients with high soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels stained well for programmed cell death ligand 1 and cluster of differentiation 8. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels can be used to predict the prognosis of familial breast cancer patients. Prospectively identifying patients who are less likely to have non-familial breast cancer is vital for improving their overall survival.

Elevation of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with gefitinib

PURPOSE

We previously reported that plasma thromboxan B(2), soluble P-selectin, and serum regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were elevated after gefitinib treatment. We hypothesized that gefitinib could activate T-lymphocytes via activated platelets, and so we measured serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patients medicated with gefitinib.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were entered into this study. All patients received gefitinib over 2 weeks without severe adverse effects. Blood samples were withdrawn from all patients before and after the administration of gefitinib and plasma soluble P-selectin, serum RANTES, and serum sIL-2R were measured by enzyme-linked immunosolvent assay. In addition, we carried out the basic study of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on CD4(+) lymphocytes by RANTES.

RESULTS

Plasma soluble P-selectin, serum RANTES, and serum sIL-2R levels increased significantly in patients receiving gefitinib treatment for 1 and 2 weeks. RANTES did not induce the expression of IL-2R on CD4(+) lymphocyte. However, the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-induced expression of IL-2R was enhanced by the addition of RANTES.

CONCLUSION

Our finding indicated that lymphocytes were activated by gefitinib treatment. We think that sIL-2R elevation after gefitinib administration may be a factor positively effecting patients with NSCLC. It is deemed possible that the effect of gefitinib is induced not only by its blocking of the tyrosine kinase of epidermal growth factor receptor but also by antitumor immunity via its activation of T-cells.

Serum sIL-2R, TNF-α and IFN-γ in alveolar echinococcosis

AIM: To approach the relationship between alveolar echinococcosis (AE) pathology and level of sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γ in sera and the significance of cytokines in development of AE.

METHODS: After 23 patients with AE were confirmed by ELISA and ultrasound, their sera were collected and the concentrations of sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γ were detected by double antibody sandwich. Twelve healthy adults served as controls. According to the status of livers of AE patients by ultrasound scanning, they were divided into 4 groups: P₂, P₃, P₄ groups and C group (control). Average of concentrations of sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γ in homologous group was statistically analyzed by both ANOV and Newman-Keuls, respectively.

RESULTS: The mean of sIL-2R in P₂ group was 97 ± 29, P₃: 226 ± 80, P₄: 194 ± 23 and control group (111 ± 30) × 10³ u/L (P < 0.01). The mean of TNF-α in P₂ group was 1.12 ± 0.20, P₃: 3.67 ± 1.96 , P₄: 1.30 ± 0.25 and control group 0.40 ± 0.19 µg/L (P < 0.01). The mean of IFN-γ in P₂ group was 360 ± 20, P₃: 486 ± 15, P₄: 259 ± 19 and control group: 16 ± 2 ng/L (P < 0.01). Judged by ANOV and Newman-Keuls, the mean concentrations of sIL-2R, TNF-α and IFN-γ had a significant difference among groups. Except for P₂ group, the mean sIL-2R between other groups of AE patients had a significant difference (P < 0.05). The mean of TNF-α concentration in P₃ group was the highest (P < 0.01). The mean of IFN-γ concentration in all patients was higher than that in control group (P < 0.01), but there was no difference between AE groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Low sIL-2R level indicates an early stage of AE or stable status, per contra, a progression stage. Higher level of TNF-α might be related to the lesion of liver. The role of single IFN-γ is limited in immunological defense against AE and it can not fully block pathological progression.

Assessment and management of cancer-related fatigue in adults

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and distressing symptoms of cancer, and is a common side-effect of many of the treatments available for the management of malignant disease. We critically assess the evidence for cancer-related fatigue and its treatment in adults. Little is known about the cause and mechanisms of fatigue, and research into methods of alleviating the condition has focused on treatment for anaemia and behavioural interventions, such as exercise, both of which are effective in reducing fatigue. Although research into the condition has increased considerably in the past decade, important gaps in knowledge remain.

Levels of serum-soluble receptor for interleukin-2 in patients with colorectal cancer

The preoperative levels of serum-soluble receptor for interleukin-2 (IL-2R) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 38 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and 98 healthy controls. The levels of serum-soluble IL-2R in the patients with colorectal cancer were significantly higher than those in the normal controls (P < 0.05). Markedly elevated levels of serum-soluble IL-2R were recognized in patients with stage IV cancer, those with Dukes' stage D cancer, and those with liver metastasis. Moreover, the prognosis of patients with low levels of IL-2R (<531 U/ml) was significantly better than that of those with high levels (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that an elevated concentration of soluble IL-2R might be a useful indicator of liver metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with colorectal carcinoma.