TY - JOUR T1 - Cytokine Expression in Colon Carcinoma JF - Anticancer Research JO - Anticancer Res SP - 2135 LP - 2139 VL - 25 IS - 3B AU - PETER K. BAIER AU - GUIDO WOLFF-VORBECK AU - STEPHAN EGGSTEIN AU - ULRICH BAUMGARTNER AU - ULRICH T. HOPT Y1 - 2005/05/01 UR - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/25/3B/2135.abstract N2 - 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, Th1-cells and Th2-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 Th1-cells. It can be hypothesized that this is a result and/or cause of local immune escape mechanisms. Furthermore, there is an activation of TH2 cells in the carcinomas. Copyright© 2005 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved ER -