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- Title
Evaluation of the natural killer cell--nterferon system in patients with mid--ut carcinoid tumours treated with leucocyte interferon.
- Authors
Funa, Keiko; Alm, G. V.; Rönnblom, L.; Öberg, K.
- Abstract
Nine patients with mid-gut carcinoid tumours received leucocyte interferon (IFN) i.m. daily for 90 days. Six patients clearly ameliorated in symptoms typical of the carcinoid syndrome (flushing, diarrhoea, asthma) which correlated with reduced serum levels of tumour related polypeptides and urinary output of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA). Before IFN treatment, peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes (PBLs) from carcinoid patients showed markedly deficient production of pH 2 labile IFN-α in response to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SACoI) in vitro. In contrast, IFN-α responses to the inducers Sendai virus and β-haemolytic streptococcus group G and IFN-γ responses to Lens culinaris lectin and concanavalin A were normal. Also, basal and in vitro IFN enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity and T cell mitogen-induced cell proliferation were similar in patients and controls. During 90 days of IFN therapy. SACoI-induced IFN responses became entirely undetectable. There were transient declines at I and 30 days in IFN responses to the other IFN inducers, of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and of basal NK activities. The increments of NK cell activities after in cit no IFN exposure were clearly decreased in IFN treated patients, suggesting in vivo activation of these cells. Thus, the results demonstrate one remarkable abnormality in carcinoid patients: a deficient IFN response to SACoI and a clear influence of IFN therapy on several parameters of the IFN-NK system.
- Subjects
LEUCOCYTES; CARCINOID; TUMORS; STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus; ACETIC acid; RESPIRATORY allergy
- Publication
Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 1983, Vol 53, Issue 3, p716
- ISSN
0009-9104
- Publication type
Article