Cytokine Expression in Colon Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Cytokines reflect the activity of the immune system. We analyzed the local expression of characteristic cytokines indicating the level of activity of unspecific inflammatory cells, T_h1-cells and T_h2-cells in colon cancer. Materials and Methods: In 25 tumor/ mucosa pairs, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-15, TNF-α and IFN-γ were measured by real-time PCR. Results: There was a significant increase in IL-1α, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α and a significant decrease in IL-2 in tumor tissue compared to normal mucosa. Discussion: The cytokine profile in colon cancer indicates a strong unspecific inflammatory reaction in the tumor tissue represented by high levels of IL-1 and TNF-α. The comparatively low level of IL-2 suggests suppression of a specific immunological reaction, namely T_h1-cells. It can be hypothesized that this is a result and/or cause of local immune escape mechanisms. Furthermore, there is an activation of T_H2 cells in the carcinomas.