Interleukin-2 in its relation with interleukin-12 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

ObjectiveTo study the relationship among serum levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods60 patients were randomized into two groups, group A (n=30) received IL-2 (1 MIU·day -1 for seven days), group B (n=30) served as control. Venous blood levels of IL-12?IL-2 and sIL-2R in all patients were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and after the IL-2 administration. Results There was positive correlation between serum levels of IL-2 and IL-12, negative correlation between serum levels of IL-2 and sIL-2R and no correlation between that of IL-12 and sIL-2R. Mean serum levels of IL-12,IL-2 and sIL-2R significantly (P0.01) increased in response to IL-2 treatment. The decrease in IL-12 level in spite of IL-2 treatment predict a poor prognosis.Conclusion There is a feedback loop between IL-12 and IL-2,and sIL-2R may play as a negative regulator, exogenous IL-2 may stimulate the release of IL-12, and the IL-12 response to IL-2 may predict the prognosis of HCC patients.