RRC ID 42357
Author Ikeguchi M, Hirooka Y.
Title Interleukin-2 gene expression is a new biological prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinomas.
Journal Onkologie
Abstract BACKGROUND:Cytokines produced by tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) appear to regulate tumor cell growth. The present study analyzed the correlation between local immune responses and cytokine gene expression levels in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
MATERIAL AND METHODS:The gene expression levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and -12 (IL-12) were evaluated quantitatively by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compared with the density of CD8+ TIL detected by immunohistochemistry in 59 surgically resected HCCs.
RESULTS:IL-2 gene expression was detected in 33 (56%) and IL-12 gene expression in 39 (66%) of 59 HCCs. Tissue infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes in tumors were significantly suppressed compared with noncancerous liver tissues. The CD8+ T cell density of tumors with IL-2 gene expression was higher than that of tumors without IL-2 gene expression (p = 0.002). However, such a correlation was not detected in tumors with or without expression of IL-12 genes. Patients with IL-2 positive tumors had a favorable prognosis. IL-2 gene expression was detected as an important prognostic factor independent of tumor stage.
CONCLUSIONS:These findings indicate that in HCCs, tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells might be activated by IL-2 produced by TIL and IL-2 gene expression in tumors may be an important prognostic biomarker in HCC.
Volume 28(5)
Pages 255-9
Published 2005-5-1
DOI 10.1159/000084695
PII 84695
PMID 15867481
MeSH Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics* CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics* Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology Cell Line, Tumor Female Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications Hepatitis B, Chronic / pathology Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology Humans Interleukin-12 / genetics Interleukin-2 / genetics* Liver / pathology Liver Cirrhosis / genetics Liver Cirrhosis / pathology Liver Neoplasms / genetics* Liver Neoplasms / pathology Lymphocyte Count Male Middle Aged Neoplasm Staging Prognosis Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Times Cited 20
WOS Category ONCOLOGY
Resource
Human and Animal Cells Hep G2