Soluble interleukin-2 receptors in sera of children with primary malignant neoplasms.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

T lymphocyte activation regulates the autocrine type secretion of interleukin-2, a T cell growth factor and the de novo expression of its cell-surface receptor (IL-2R). Afterwards, a special, truncated form of the IL-2R is secreted into the serum as a soluble molecule. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in serum is non-specific marker of common activation of the cellular immune regulation. This study reports the results of an early diagnostic observation of sIL-2R level in the sera of 18 primary solid pediatric malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

18 children between the ages of 1 and 12 represented the Study Group of solid tumor bearing patients. 12 healthy children between the ages of 1 and 12 represented the Control Group. Concentrations of sIL-2R were detected in the sera of the children employing a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (T Cell Sciences).

RESULTS:

Control Group concentrations of sIL-2R were in the range of 101.9 to 255.3 IU/mL with a mean value of 178.6 IU/mL. Serum levels of sIL-2R were markedly elevated in the sera of children with solid tumors (Study Group) to levels between 223.8 IU/mL and 927 IU/mL with a mean value of 575.4 IU/mL.

CONCLUSIONS:

1) The shedding of cell-surface receptors of immunological effector cells is a common physiological mechanism; 2) Presence of sIL-2R represents a sign of an overall activation of the effector elements of the host's cellular immune system; 3) An increase in the levels of sIL-2R represents an active phase of progression; conversely, decreasing levels indicate tumor regression; 4) Serum levels of sIL-2Rs may represent a useful laboratory parameter in choosing an efficient anti-cancer therapy. Thus, the level of sIL-2R in childhood solid tumor patients has a prognostic significance.

• Authors: B Bodey, V Psenko, A L Lipsey, H E Kaiser
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 1996 Jan-Feb Vol. 16 Issue 1 Pg. 219-24 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 8615612 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Interleukin-2

Topics

• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Male
• Neoplasm Staging
• Neoplasms (blood, immunology, ultrastructure)
• Receptors, Interleukin-2 (analysis)
• Reference Values
• Solubility
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology, metabolism, ultrastructure)