The
beta-chemokine RANTES was measured in plasma in 43 patients with
breast cancer and in 23 patients with
cervical cancer, and the
RANTES content in primary
tumors,
tumor metastatic to lymph nodes, and clinically normal skin or pelvic mucosa was measured. In addition, plasma levels were determined in all of the patients for the platelet-derived
chemokine beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and for IFN-gamma,
interleukin (IL)-2,
IL-4,
IL-5, and
IL-10, along with serum
IgE levels and blood eosinophils. Plasma
RANTES levels were found to be higher in order of stages IV, III, II, and I of each
cancer except for stage I. A marked increase in plasma
RANTES level (> 10,000 pg/ml) was found in 27% of patients with progressive
malignancy but in none of those in clinical remission. The platelet
RANTES content was correspondingly decreased in those patients with increased plasma
RANTES levels. Beta-TG showed a pattern similar to
RANTES both in plasma and platelets, but with much less dramatic differences between patients with different stages of disease. Other allergic parameters,
IgE, eosinophils and plasma IFN-gamma,
IL-2, -5, and -10, were not elevated in the
cancer patients. The
RANTES content was markedly elevated in the primary
tumor and metastatic lesions (lymph node or skin) from all of the patients with breast or
cervical cancer, irrespective of the plasma
RANTES level. In addition, in patients with progressive breast or
cervical cancer, but not in patients thought to be cured of these
tumors, the
RANTES content was markedly increased in clinically normal tissue taken from near the operative site several months postoperatively, as well as in intact skin or mucosa taken perioperatively near the excised
tumor. This study suggests an as-yet-undefined but important role played by
RANTES in
carcinogenesis, as well as the possibility that a
RANTES assay in tissue surrounding a
tumor or postoperative
tumor site may help predict prognosis in these patients.