Clinical significance of detecting Th1/Th2 cytokines in the patients with liver cancer

Objective:To detect the level of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines of peripheral blood CD3+ T lymphocytes in the patients with liver 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 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results:The levels of Th1 type cytokines such as interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-2(IL-2), interleukin-12(IL-12) were significantly lower in patients with liver cancer than those of normal controls. The levels of Th2 type cytokines such as interleukin-4(IL-4), interleukin-10(IL-10) were higher in patients with liver cancer than those of normal controls, but there were not significant difference between them. The level of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in patients were significant higher than those normal control.Conclusions:Th1/Th2 is imbalance in esophageal cancer. Th1 type cytokines are inhibited, and Th2 type cytokines are relatively enhanced, so Th1/Th2 shift to Th2. It maybe the mechanism of tumor arising and transferring by immune escaped from immunosurveillance.