Interferon Gamma and Interleukin-2 Secretion in Whole Blood Cell Cultures from Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFNγ) in whole blood cell cultures after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation was evaluated in 42 small-cell lung cancer patients before treatment. Blood cultures from patients with extensive and limited disease have lower IFNγ secretions after PWM stimulation and lower IL-2 secretions after PWM and PHA stimulation, but this was not statistically significant. IFNγ but not IL-2 secretion was significantly higher after PWM stimulation in cultures from patients with better clinical performance status (0 + 1, WHO scale). Blood cultures from patients with tumor regression after treatment had a higher secretion of IFNγ after PWM stimulation. In contrast, blood cultures from patients with a poor prognosis had significantly lower IL-2 and IFNγ secretions after stimulation with PWM, and a lower IL-2 secretion after stimulation with PHA.