[A study about the ability of interleukin-2 production, interleukin-2 receptor expression by lymphocytes from patients with lung cancer].

The ability of Interleukin-2 (IL2) production, IL2 receptors expression and proliferative response by lymphocytes from 48 patients with primary lung cancer and 50 normal controls were studied. The results indicated that after lymphocytes were stimulated with PHA for 48 hours, the IL2 activity produced by lymphocytes from lung cancer patients was significantly reduced, the mean IL2 activity was only about 30% of that of normal controls, with lung cancer progression, the lymphocytes IL2 production tended to be more depressed. The lymphocytes IL2 receptors expression and proliferative response in cancer patients were also significantly decreased. Our study suggested that impaired IL2 production and IL2 receptors expression by lymphocytes from lung cancer patients may depress the IL2 dependent anti-tumor reaction in vivo.