Iranian Journal of Immunology

Th1 and Th2 Cytokine Profiles in Malignant Pleural Effusion

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohammad Ali Ghayumi 1, 2
Zahra Mojtahedi 1
Mohammad Javad Fattahi 1

1 Institute for Cancer Research

2 Department of Internal Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/iji.2011.17026
Abstract
Background: The alteration of Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels is the subject of controversy in pleural effusions caused by malignancy, a situation that favors a Th2 immune response.
Objective: To examine the different levels of IL-4 and IL-10 (Th2 cytokines), and IL-2 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (Th1 cytokines) in malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions.
Method: The cytokine levels in pleural fluid of 62 patients with malignant pleural effusion (44 with lung cancer and 18 with extrathoracic tumors), 8 with tuberculous and 8 with congestive heart failure pleural effusion were analysed using enzymelinked immunosorbent assays.
Results: IL-2 was below the detectable concentration of the assay. A significant decrease in IFN-γ level was observed in malignant but not in congestive heart failure cases compared to tuberculous cases. IL-10 levels were higher in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions than in congestive heart failure pleural effusions, however, this difference did not reach the significant level. IL-4 levels were also increased non-significantly in lung cancer pleural effusions compared to the other groups.
Conclusion: Our results show a wide variation in IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels in malignant pleural effusions, a pattern which was not convincing enough to differentiate the cause of effusion.

Keywords

IFN-γ
IL-4
Lung Cancer
Pleural Effusion
Iranian Journal of Immunology
Volume 8, Issue 4
Autumn 2011
Pages 195-200

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