Effective modulation of CD4 super(+)CD25 super(+high) regulatory T and NK cells in malignant patients by combination of interferon- alpha and interleukin-2

Overinduced CD4 super(+)CD25 super(+high) regulatory T cells (Treg) and downregulated NK cells contribute to tumor-relevant immune tolerance and interfere with tumor immunity. In this study, we aimed to design a novel strategy with cytokine combination to correct the dysregulated Treg and NK cells in malignant patients. Initially, a total of 58 healthy individuals and 561 malignant patients were analyzed for their cellular immunity by flow cytometry. The average percentages of CD4 super(+)CD25 super(+high) /lymphocyte were 1.30 plus or minus 1.19 % ( $$ \bar{x} $$ plus or minus SD) in normal adults and 3.274 plus or minus 4.835 % in malignant patients (p < 0.001). The ratio of CD4 super(+)CD25 super(+high) to CD4 super(+) was 3.58 plus or minus 3.19 % in normal adults and 6.01 plus or minus 5.89 % to 13.50 plus or minus 23.60 % in different kinds of malignancies (p < 0.001). Of normal adults, 15.52 % had >3 % Treg and 12.07 % had 3 %) and NK (