Clinical significance of TH1/TH2 cytokines in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with breast cancer

Objective To detect the level of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines of peripheral blood CD+3 T lymphocytes in patients with breast cancer, in order to find out the laboratory evidence of tumor immunotherapy. Methods The peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated by stimulator in order to enhance expression of cytokines. Specific fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibody combined with antigen. Cytokines were detected by flow cytometry and ELISA. Results Both the cytokines secreted by CD+3 T lymphocytes and serum cytokines showed that the level of Th1 type cytokines such as interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-2(IL-2), interleukin-12(IL-12) were significantly lower in patients of breast cancer than those of normal controls. The level of Th2 type cytokines such as interleukin-4(IL-4), interleukin-10(IL-10) were higher in patients of breast cancer than those of normal controls. There was significant difference between them. The level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)in patients were significant higher than normal control. Conclusion Th1/Th2 was imbalance in mammary cancer. Th1 type cytokines were inhibited, and Th2 type cytokines were relatively enhanced, so Th1/Th2 shift to Th2. It maybe the mechanism of tumor arising and transferring by immune escaped from immunosurveillance.