BACKGROUND: Two types of helper T cells (Th), which are categorized as Th1 and Th2 on the basis of cytokine production, have been reported. Th1 cells produce interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, while Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10. We assessed the intracellular cytokine profiles of CD3/CD4 positive lymphocytes (CD4+ T-cells) in peripheral blood in patients with digestive cancers. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 patients with digestive cancers and 35 healthy volunteers. The proportions of CD4+ T-cells producing intracellular cytokines were determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The percentages (mean +/- SD) of CD4+ T-cells producing IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in the cancer group (73.9% +/- 13.0%, 73.0% +/- 16.6%, and 58.0% +/- 21.0%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the healthy group (37.4% +/- 12.4%, 37.8% +/- 13.5%, and 34.0% +/- 14.1%, respectively; P <0.01). Proportions of CD4+ T-cells producing IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in 10 patients undergoing curative resection had decreased significantly 1 month after surgery (P <0.01). No significant difference was noted between groups in the percentages of CD4+ T-cells producing IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: Th2-dominant status develops in cancer patients. Such lymphocyte evaluations could find applications in diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of cancer patients.

JOURNAL ARTICLE Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Biopsy Comparative Study CD4 Lymphocyte Count Digestive System Neoplasms/*BLOOD/IMMUNOLOGY/PATHOLOGY Female Flow Cytometry Follow-Up Studies Human Interferon Type II/*BIOSYNTHESIS Interleukins/*BIOSYNTHESIS Intracellular Fluid/METABOLISM Male Middle Age Retrospective Studies Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Th2 Cells/IMMUNOLOGY/*METABOLISM Tumor Markers, Biological/BLOOD

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