BACKGROUND: Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine that exhibits potent anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activities. Very few studies have investigated the expression of IL-12 in patients with gastric cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression and serum levels of IL-12, and plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: IL-12 was immunohistochemically stained using monoclonal anti-human IL-12 antibody (1-1A4) in surgical specimens of 27 gastric cancer patients. IL-12-positive cells were counted and positive cell density was calculated. Blood was obtained before surgery. Serum levels of IL-12 and plasma levels of VEGF were assessed using the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. The relationships of IL-12-positive cell density, serum levels of IL-12, plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and clinicopathological factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Although IL-12-positive cell density was not associated with serum levels of IL-12, the IL-12-positive cell density tended to increase in patients with serum levels of IL-12 higher than the mean level (p=0.0518). IL-12-positive cell density significantly decreased in the patients with CEA positive or differentiated type. Moreover, IL-12-positive cell density tended to be inversely correlated with plasma levels of VEGF (p=0.0801, r=-0.343). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the immune efficiency in patients with gastric cancer may be reflected by IL-12-positive cell density and serum levels of IL-12. Thus, patients with low IL-12-positive cell density or serum levels of IL-12 in gastric cancer may require additional immunochemotherapy after surgery.
BACKGROUND: Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine that exhibits potent anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activities. Very few studies have investigated the expression of IL-12 in patients with gastric cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression and serum levels of IL-12, and plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: IL-12 was immunohistochemically stained using monoclonal anti-human IL-12 antibody (1-1A4) in surgical specimens of 27 gastric cancerpatients. IL-12-positive cells were counted and positive cell density was calculated. Blood was obtained before surgery. Serum levels of IL-12 and plasma levels of VEGF were assessed using the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. The relationships of IL-12-positive cell density, serum levels of IL-12, plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and clinicopathological factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Although IL-12-positive cell density was not associated with serum levels of IL-12, the IL-12-positive cell density tended to increase in patients with serum levels of IL-12 higher than the mean level (p=0.0518). IL-12-positive cell density significantly decreased in the patients with CEA positive or differentiated type. Moreover, IL-12-positive cell density tended to be inversely correlated with plasma levels of VEGF (p=0.0801, r=-0.343). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the immune efficiency in patients with gastric cancer may be reflected by IL-12-positive cell density and serum levels of IL-12. Thus, patients with low IL-12-positive cell density or serum levels of IL-12 in gastric cancer may require additional immunochemotherapy after surgery.
Authors: John Bunni; Golda Shelley-Fraser; Kirsty Stevenson; Sebastian Oltean; Andy Salmon; Steven J Harper; James G Carter; David O Bates Journal: Am J Cancer Res Date: 2015-05-15 Impact factor: 6.166