Immunosuppressive activity of sera from patients with colorectal and gynecological carcinomas as evaluated by impaired IFN-gamma, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha production of human peripheral mononuclear cells

The sera from patients with preoperative colorectal and gynecological carcinomas (ovarian and breast cancer) were investigated for their putative immunosuppressive activity (ISA). ISA was measured by determining the changes in the production of IFN-gamma, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha by human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) from six normal donors. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMC were incubated with sera from patients with colorectal and gynecological carcinomas and healthy controls and in the 4-day post-inductional supernatants the cytokines were measured by an enzymoimmunological assay (ELISA). Sera from patients with carcinomas significantly decreased the IFN-gamma production as compared to the controls. In the cultures containing sera from patients with colorectal and ovarian but not breast carcinoma, significantly lower levels of IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha were measured compared to the cultures with sera from healthy controls.

Cytokine production in leukocyte cultures during therapy with Echinacea extract

We measured the levels of the cytokines IL-1-alpha, IL-1-beta, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in culture supernatants of stimulated whole blood cells derived from 23 tumor patients undergoing a 4-week oral treatment with a spagyric extract from Echinacea angustifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, and Thuja occidentalis (Echinacea complex). All patients had had curative surgery for a localized solid malignant tumor. Blood was taken before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of therapy. Twelve untreated tumor patients at the same clinical stage, also after curative surgery, served as a control group. In the blood cell cultures of all patients, a rather wide range of cytokine levels was found. After therapy with Echinacea complex, no significant alteration in the production of the cytokines could be seen in comparison to the controls, and also the leukocyte populations remained constant. We conclude that at this application and dosage, the therapy with Echinacea complex has no detectable effect on tumor patients' lymphocytes activity as measured by their cytokine production.

The influence of the local environment on tissue architecture of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell aggregates and its consequence for tumour attack by lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo

We analysed colorectal carcinoma (CRC) specimens, tumour cell spheroids and artificial tumours (ArTs) for tissue architecture, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression and lymphocyte infiltration. Two distinct organisation forms of well-differentiated CRC cells were found in vivo and in vitro. Tumour cells having contact with the tumour stroma in primary tumours, and tumour cells growing within a stroma-like structure in vitro (ArTs) were arranged as pseudoglands. In contrast, tumour cells grown as spheroids or tumour cells having lost contact with the tumour stroma in primary tumours, and most probably in the circulation, showed an inversion of the architecture of these pseudoglands, presenting their apical cell membrane to the environment. These different tumour cell formations affect lymphocytes attacking the tumour, which need contact with specific cellular membranes of polarised tumour cells, depending on the tumour architecture. Recently, we demonstrated that the CEA expression of CRC cells correlated with their resistance against LAK-cell lysis. Since CEA is mainly expressed on the apical membrane of the tumour cells, independent of the tissue architecture, the change from the pseudoglandular to the spheroid-like formation may represent an escape mechanism for malignant cells.

CD66b, CD66c and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are independently regulated markers in sera of tumor patients

Non-specific cross-reacting antigens (NCA-95 = CD66b and NCA-50/90 = CD66c) are members of the CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen = CD66e) family. Analysis of mRNA levels of CD66c in colon tumors suggests that this antigen is strongly up-regulated compared to its normal counterpart and could, therefore, be of clinical interest. CD66c is also expressed in normal lung and spleen tissues and, above all, on granulocytes. The appearance of CD66b in serum, the only strictly granulocyte-specific antigen, could point to the involvement of granulocytes in disease. Specific sandwich ELISAs have been established to determine CEA, CD66b and CD66c levels in serum. Controls have been carried out by testing sera from patients with benign tumors or inflammatory diseases and from healthy individuals. In sera of most patients suffering from solid tumors, sensitivities for CD66c are comparable to or lower than those for CEA. CD66c showed a much higher sensitivity in early colon tumor stages. Sensitivities over 40% have been determined for CD66b in sera of patients with uterine and kidney carcinomas. CML patients revealed sensitivities of 84% for CD66c and 47% for CD66b. Investigations of sera from patients with inflammatory colon diseases which are negative for CEA showed high sensitivity for CD66c but not for the granulocyte-specific CD66b. Patients with mastopathy revealed sensitivities of over 40% for both CD66c and CD66b. CD66b, CD66c and CEA are independently regulated proteins in a high percentage of patients. The simultaneous determination of CEA and CD66b/c can increase the sensitivities for malignant tumors but high sensitivities of CD66b/c for benign diseases limit their usefulness as tumor markers. CD66b may be interesting as a marker for kidney and corpus carcinomas, for which good markers are not yet available.

Possible function of CEA as cell-contact inhibitory molecule

Ever since it was discovered that CEA, as member of the CEA-gene family, is part also of the Ig-supergene family, to which molecules involved in cell interactions like cell adhesion or cell recognition belong, great efforts were made to prove that CEA is also an adhesion molecule. At present this seems to be an accepted fact. In the present study we advance a different theory which is based on the expression pattern of CEA during ontogeny and in malignancy and which is suggestive of CEA functioning more as a signal protein prohibiting further cell/cell contact rather than as an adhesion molecule. In the malignant state the expression of this molecule on the surface of tumor cells would facilitate migration and motility, i.e., metastases formation. Furthermore it would prevent a tight contact between cytotoxic effector cells and CEA expressing target cells.

Comparison of cytokine production in blood cell cultures of healthy children and adults

The production of the cytokines IL-1-alpha, IL-1-beta, IL-2, TNF-alpha, and INF-gamma was measured by a sensitive immunological assay in stimulated whole blood cell cultures from 52 healthy children (33 aged from 1 to 9 years and 19 aged between 10 and 17 years) and 67 healthy adults. When the higher absolute mononuclear cell counts in the peripheral blood samples of the children were taken into account, the relative production of all measured cytokines was lower in the cell cultures of the children than of the adults. In the group of the younger children (< 10 years) the differences were significant for all measured cytokines. In the group of older children (> or = 10 years) the values were higher than in the younger children but lower than in adults. The findings indicate that the cellular immunological competence is or can be reduced in children and adolescents, particularly young children below 10 years of age. There seems to be a gradual development of cytokine production during childhood.

Morphological and functional characteristics of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from human colorectal cancers after stimulation with rIL-2

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from colorectal cancers were separated from tumor cells by enzymatic and mechanical tissue disaggregation and discontinuous density gradients. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were isolated using the same procedure. The freshly separated TILs and PBLs were analyzed phenotypically by flow cytometry. The CD4+/CD8+ ratios of the freshly isolated TILs and PBLs were comparable (> 1 in both lymphocyte populations). CD25+, HLA-DR+ and CD56+ cells were significantly more frequent in the TIL than in the PBL population. However, the number of CD45RA+ cells was lower in the TILs as compared to PBLs, while CD29+ accumulated by about 90% in TILs. TILs and autologous PBLs were expanded in vitro with rIL-2. The mean rate of proliferation after 4 weeks was 642-fold in TIL cultures and 335-fold in PBLs. More than 90% of the rIL-2-expanded lymphocytes expressed CD2 and the great majority was CD29+. Stimulation with rIL-2 in vitro induced an outgrowth of CD56+ cells mainly in the TILs. Accordingly the expression of CD3+ and alpha/beta receptor in the TILs was low. Those cells which phenotypically represented lymphokine-activated killer cells displayed a lytic activity against the autologous tumor as well as against allogeneic K562 and Daudi targets. In accordance with the better proliferative response of TILs in long-term cultures with rIL-2, the lytic activity of TILs against autologous and allogeneic tumor targets was significantly higher as compared to PBLs.

Artificial tumor: a novel heterotypic, polymorphic, three-dimensional in vitro model of individual human solid tumors

We established a new complex three-dimensional in vitro model called artificial tumor (ArT), which stimulates individual human solid tumors. In contrast to the generally used spheroid models consisting of tumor cells only, the model described in the present report is composed of both tumor cells and tumor stromal cells. We created ArTs as a replica of colon carcinomas, composed of colon carcinoma cells, colon fibroblasts, and as supportive skeleton fibrous tissue from human colon. All cellular components were established from the same surgically obtained colon carcinoma specimen. The ArTs studied came from 4 types of colon carcinomas; mucinous, well, moderately and undifferentiated colon carcinomas. Among all types of colon carcinomas ArTs could be established with a high rate of success, i.e. 81%. Cells growing for 5 days on the fibrous tissue under normal culture conditions formed tumors up to 2,000 microns in diameter. Morphological studies showed that tumor cells grown as ArTs maintained the individual characteristics of the original tumor; for example, a comparable heterogeneity in CEA expression and/or maintenance of the differentiation stage. Polarized tumor cells were linked with the tumor stroma-simulating structure by their basal cell membrane, and formed central lumina lined by the apical membranes of the tumor cells, a structure quite similar to the tissue architecture of colon carcinomas in vivo.

Expression of the CEA gene family members NCA-50/90 and NCA-160 (CD66) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) and in cell lines of B-cell origin

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the classical non-specific cross-reacting antigens (NCAs) belong to the CEA gene family which is part of the immunoglobulin superfamily. In normal hematopoiesis, CEA gene family members (CGMs) have only been reported on cells of myeloid and monocytic origin. In the present study, we analyzed 62 childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) and seven surface immunoglobulin positive (sig+) B-cell lines for the expression of the CEA family members CEA, NCA-50/90, NCA-95, NCA-160, CGM1 and CGM7. We demonstrated that members of the CEA family were present in 76% of childhood ALLs of B- and T-cell origin. In ALLs of B-cell origin, 82% of the samples expressed at least one CEA subgroup member: 38% NCA-50/90 (CD66c), 31% NCA-160 (CD66a), and 13% both. Six of seven B-cell lines solely expressed NCA-160. In seven ALL of T-cell origin, sole NCA-160 expression was present in 29% of the cases. CEA and CGM1 were not expressed in childhood ALLs or in the sIg+ B-cell lines. In 15 ALLs and seven B-cell lines which could be analyzed for CGM7 expression, the antigen was not detected. NCA-95 was not expressed in 91% of the B-lineage ALLs, in T-lineage ALLs and in the B-cell lines. However, five B-lineage ALLs showed conflicting data on the binding patterns of two, on leukocytes specifically NCA-95 recognizing antibodies suggesting either expression of unknown forms of NCA-95 or NCA-50/90 or of a yet unknown member of the CEA family in these ALL cells. The expression of CEA subgroup members in childhood ALL cells might have prognostic impacts, as an inverse correlation exists between NCA expression on leukemic blasts and the risk factor white blood count at diagnosis.

Mice transgenic for the human carcinoembryonic antigen gene maintain its spatiotemporal expression pattern

The tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is predominantly expressed in epithelial cells along the gastrointestinal tract and in a variety of adenocarcinomas. As a basis for investigating its in vivo regulation and for establishing an animal model for tumor immunotherapy, transgenic mice were generated with a 33-kilobase cosmid clone insert containing the complete human CEA gene and flanking sequences. CEA was found in the tongue, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, cecum, colon, and trachea and at low levels in the lung, testis, and uterus of adult mice of independent transgenic strains. CEA was first detected at day 10.5 of embryonic development (embryonic day 10.5) in primary trophoblast giant cells and was found in the developing gut, urethra, trachea, lung, and nucleus pulposus of the vertebral column from embryonic day 14.5 onwards. From embryonic day 16.5 CEA was also visible in the nasal mucosa and tongue. Because this spatiotemporal expression pattern correlates well with that known for humans, it follows that the transferred genomic region contains all of the regulatory elements required for the correct expression of CEA. Furthermore, although mice apparently lack an endogenous CEA gene, the entire repertoire of transcription factors necessary for correct expression of the CEA transgene is conserved between mice and humans. After tumor induction, these immunocompetent mice will serve as a model for optimizing various forms of immunotherapy, using CEA as a target antigen.

Study of the resistance of tumor-cell spheroids to penetration and lysis by activated effector cells

Tumor spheroids and growing cell monolayers were used as 2- and 3-dimensional targets in the in vitro study of the interactions of colorectal tumor cells with various in vitro Il-2-activated lymphocyte effectors. The study examined tumor-cell susceptibility to the cytotoxic activity of effector cells in correlation with the ability of the effectors to infiltrate spheroids. No restriction of lymphocyte activity was found when the susceptibility of tumor cells to the panel of autologous and allogeneic Il-2-stimulated PBL (LAK cells) and TIL was compared. Their activity against a given tumor specimen was similar, but differed against the various other tumor specimens. Thus, the tumor susceptibility and not the cytotoxic potential of the lymphocytes determined the interaction result. An inhibition of lymphocyte penetration was observed in some tumor spheroids, which considerably influenced the resistance to lymphocyte lysis. Apparently it is this inhibition of the migratory capacity of the effector cells by tumor cells that is responsible for tumor resistance to lymphocyte attack.

CEA expression of colorectal adenocarcinomas is correlated with their resistance against LAK-cell lysis

We have investigated the in vitro interaction of LAK cells with 20 different human tumor cell lines freshly isolated from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) specimens. Three steps of LAK cell/tumor cell interaction, namely adherence, infiltration and lysis, have been studied. All are important for the cytotoxic effect of LAK cells against solid tumors: LAK-cell adherence was studied on tumor-cell monolayer cultures, the infiltration capacity of LAK cells using tumor-cell spheroids and the resulting cytotoxic effects of LAK cells against CRC cells grown as spheroids or monolayers. Finally, we correlated the degree of lysis of the CRC cells with their carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) production, the secretion of which varied in a broad range from not detectable to 2,800 ng/day in culture medium. Cytotoxicity experiments showed a good correlation between CEA expression of CRC cells and their resistance against allogeneic LAK cells. Spheroids of CEA-producing cells prevented LAK-cell infiltration resulting in high resistance against LAK-cell lysis. Adhesion of LAK cells on monolayers of CEA-expressing CRC cells was minimal. Our results indicate that CEA expression may be an escape mechanism protecting colon carcinoma cells from an attack by cytotoxic cells.

A repertoire of monoclonal antibodies reveals extensive epitope heterogeneity in CEA purified from neoplasms originating from different organs

The heterogeneity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) from 5 individual hepatic metastases of tumours originating in different organs (1 colon, 1 stomach and 3 breast adenocarcinomas) was analyzed with a repertoire of 56 alpha CEA murine MAbs. In each tumour preparation, the MAbs disclosed 2 distinct molecular species displaying remarkable variability in their apparent molecular weights (e.g. 130-170 kDa for the fast-migrating CEA variant and 180-260 kDa for the slowly-migrating one). After chemical deglycosylation this heterogeneity was abolished and 2 main proteins of 84 and 64 kDa were generated; the difference in their molecular weights could not be accounted for by differential glycosylation. Although 3 of the analyzed preparations were derived from individual adenocarcinomas of the breast, the glycosylated molecules differed considerably from one another, in their relative molecular mass. The MAbs used showed essentially 3 different recognition patterns according to their reactivity either with both CEA molecular weight variants, or just with the higher or the lower one. In a quantitative comparison of the immunoprecipitation yields of the MAbs with CEA, considerable immunological variability (ranging up to 26-fold), as well as preferential expression of CEA epitopes, could be demonstrated among the 5 different preparations. Here again no uniform epitope presentation could be observed among the 3 breast tumours thus far tested. Comparison of the precipitation yields with the glycosylated and deglycosylated CEA species revealed that, whereas the CEA antigenic heterogeneity remained in some cases unchanged, most of the MAbs exhibited, in carbohydrate-free CEA, the appearance of a new heterogeneity.

Increased plasma concentrations for type I and II tumor necrosis factor receptors and IL-2 receptors in cancer patients

Using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays for the soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors type I (p55) and type II (p75) and IL-2 receptor we determined their levels in the plasma of 378 patients with various solid carcinomas, 56 patients with benign tumors, and 241 healthy controls. The plasma concentrations of both TNF receptors as well as the IL-2 receptor were significantly higher in the cancer patients than in the healthy controls, independent of the origin or histology of the tumor. The incidence and the extent of the receptor increase correlated with the extent of the disease. In the patients with benign tumors plasma levels of TNF receptor p75 and IL-2 receptor were not significantly different from the controls.

Cytokine production in whole blood cell cultures of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Levels of the cytokines interleukin-1-alpha, -1-beta, and -2 (IL-1-alpha, IL-1-beta, IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured in the mitogen-stimulated whole blood cell cultures from 96 patients with Crohn's disease (48 untreated, 12 treated with sulfasalazine, 36 treated with corticosteroids), 74 patients with ulcerative colitis (21 untreated, 25 treated with sulfasalazine, 28 steroid treated), and 360 healthy controls. The cytokines were measured 4 days after induction by a sensitive immunoenzyme assay. In the blood cell cultures of the untreated and sulfasalazine treated patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis higher levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1-alpha and IL-1-beta were found whereas IL-2 production was decreased and IFN-gamma-production was not significantly different as compared to the controls. Leukocytes of the corticosteroid-treated patients with both diagnoses showed a lower production of all measured cytokines compared to the untreated patients. The same results were obtained, when the somewhat different counts of mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood of the patients and controls were taken into account. The elevated production of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood cell cultures suggests a systemic immune activation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

A polymerase-chain-reaction assay for the specific identification of transcripts encoded by individual carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-gene-family members

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker that belongs to a family of closely related molecules with variable expression patterns. We have developed sets of oligonucleotide primers for the specific amplification of transcripts from individual CEA-family members using the reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR). Specific primer sets were designed for CEA, non-specific cross-reacting antigen (NCA), biliary glycoprotein (BGP), carcinoembryonic antigen gene-family members 1, 6 and 7 (CGM1, CGM6 and CGM7), and one set for all pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) transcripts. Primers were first tested for their specificity against individual cDNA clones and product-hybridization with internal, transcript-specific oligonucleotides. Total RNA from 12 brain and 63 gynecological tumors were then tested for expression of CEA-related transcripts. None were found in tumors located in the brain, including various mesenchymal and neuro-epithelial tumors. CEA and NCA transcripts were, however, present in an adenocarcinoma located in the nasal sinuses. In ovarian mucinous adenocarcinomas, we always found co-expression of CEA and NCA transcripts, and occasionally BGP mRNA. CEA-related transcripts were also found in some serous, endometrioid and clear-cell ovarian carcinomas. CEA, NCA and BGP transcripts were present in endometrial carcinomas of the uterus and cervical carcinomas, whereas uterine leiomyomas were completely negative. No transcripts were found from CGM1, CGM6, CGM7 or from PSG genes in any of the tumors tested. The PCR data were compared with immunohistochemical investigations of ovarian tumors at the protein level using CEA (26/3/13)-, NCA-50/90 (9A6FR) and NCA-95 (80H3)-specific monoclonal antibodies.

Determination of the specificities of monoclonal antibodies recognizing members of the CEA family using a panel of transfectants

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), one of the most clinically important tumor markers, is mainly used in the post-surgical surveillance of patients with colorectal carcinomas. CEA belongs to a large protein family, which includes cross-reacting antigens, e.g., non-specific cross-reacting antigens (NCAs) and biliary glycoprotein (BGP) as well as pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs). The genes encoding these proteins can be subdivided into the CEA and PSG subgroups. The members of the subgroups share antigenic determinants and show high similarity in amino-acid sequences. Their derived secondary structures show them to belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Due to the close relationship of the members of the CEA subgroup, it is very difficult to distinguish between the individual members with MAbs. Here we have used flow cytometric analysis of transfectants expressing individual members of the CEA subgroup as an alternative approach to determine the specificities of 13 MAbs. This allows us to examine the specificities of these antibodies for members of the CEA family, even of those which have not yet been characterized at the protein level. In addition, binding of the MAbs to NCAs expressed by polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) was tested by Western-blot analysis, immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry. Four antibodies bound exclusively to NCA-50/90 and one MAb (80H3) only to NCA-95. MAb 4/3/17 recognizes CEA and BGP on the surface of transfectants and NCA-160 from granulocytes. We assume that NCA-160 is a product of the BGP gene. On granulocytes, which do not express CEA, MAb 4/3/17 is specific for NCA-160 (BGP). Mutual inhibition of the MAbs binding to NCA-50/90 revealed 3 different epitope groups.

Cytokine production in whole blood cell cultures of patients undergoing therapy with biological response modifiers or 5-fluorouracil

We have measured the levels of interferon gamma (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta, and IL-2 in the whole blood cell culture supernatants of 43 tumor patients undergoing a treatment with biological response modifiers or a conventional therapy with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. In the blood cell cultures of the 16 patients who received 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin IFN gamma levels decreased (P < or = 0.01) and TNF alpha levels rose (P < or = 0.05) during each therapy cycle. However, in the blood samples a declining number of total leukocytes and lymphocytes was measured (P < or = 0.05). Progressive disease could be correlated to a tendency towards lower IFN gamma levels in the pretherapeutic cultures of these patients. The second group analyzed consisted of 8 patients receiving a low-dose IL-1 beta therapy. In this group we found either an unchanged or an augmented IFN gamma production of the blood cells during treatment. In the group of 13 patients receiving low-dose recombinant IL-2 (< or = 4.5 x 10(6) IU m-2 day-1) significantly increasing IFN gamma levels were seen in the blood cell cultures during the therapy (P < or = 0.05), although total leukocyte counts decreased. In this group, 4 had stable disease for at least 2 months and 9 patients had tumor progression under therapy. In the cultures of the latter a tendency towards lower IFN gamma values was found. Finally, the cytokine production in the blood cell cultures of 6 patients receiving a combination therapy of IFN alpha and high-dose IL-2 was studied. During this therapy a dramatically reduced production not only of IFN gamma but also of all other measured cytokines was found. In this group all patients had tumor progression under therapy. It is concluded that the measurements of cytokine production in a reproducible whole blood culture system may be useful for monitoring immunological therapies and may help us to find out which doses of biological response modifiers have enhancing or suppressive effects on the functions of the immune cells.

In vitro generation of therapeutic noncytolytic T-cells by soluble polyoma TAA and Il-2

Culture requirements for the optimal generation of polyoma-specific therapeutic lymphocytes by in vitro sensitization with soluble polyoma TAA were studied in bulk cultures of splenocytes from polyoma bearing mice. The acquisition of antipolyoma reactivity is connected with the creation of L3T4 positive, noncytolytic effector subpopulations, which dominated on the 9th day of stimulation of polyoma in vivo primed nonadherent splenocytes with TAA and 20 U/ml Il-2. Antipolyoma activity of effectors grown for 9 days with TAA and 200 U/ml Il-2 was accompanied by cytolytic activity. In both Il-2 concentrations the therapeutic reactivity faded similarly with time in spite of strong LAK-cell activity.

Impaired cytokine production in whole blood cell cultures of patients with gynaecological carcinomas in different clinical stages

The production of the cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-1-alpha, IL-2 and TNF-alpha was investigated in mitogen-stimulated, whole blood cell culture from 239 untreated patients with primary gynaecological carcinomas (breast, cervix, ovary, endometrium), and 191 healthy female controls. The cytokines were measured in the 4-day post-induction supernatants by a sensitive enzymoimmunological assay. In the blood cell cultures of all four groups of cancer patients, significantly lower values of IFN-gamma (P < or = 0.001), IL-2 (P < or = 0.01) and IL-1 alpha (P < or = 0.01) were found as compared to the controls, although lymphocyte and monocyte counts were almost identical. Grouping the tumour patients into different clinical stages we could show in the four groups of carcinomas a gradual depression of the cytokine production according to growing tumour burden.

Impaired cytokine production in whole blood cell cultures of patients with urological carcinomas

The production of the cytokines interferon gamma (IFN gamma), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was investigated in the mitogen-stimulated whole blood cell culture media from 51 patients with urinary bladder carcinomas, 52 patients with renal carcinomas, 31 patients with prostatic carcinomas and 360 healthy controls. The cytokines were measured 4 days after induction by a sensitive enzymo-immunological assay. In the blood cell culture supernatants of the patients with urinary bladder carcinomas significant lower levels of IFN gamma (P < or = 0.001), IL-2 (P < or = 0.01) and TNF alpha (P < or = 0.05) were found as compared to the controls. Blood cells of patients with renal carcinomas had lower production of IFN gamma (P < or = 0.01), IL-2 (P < or = 0.001) and IL-1 alpha (P < or = 0.01), whereas the values of the total group of patients with prostatic carcinomas were not significantly different from those of the controls. Lymphocyte and monocyte counts were almost identical in the control and all tumor patient groups. When the patients with renal carcinomas and prostatic carcinomas were analyzed according to their different clinical stages we could show a gradual depression of the IFN-gamma levels, which was related to tumor burden.

Study of the susceptibility of human colorectal tumor explants to LAK-cell lysis: comparison of various cytotoxicity tests

The susceptibility of tumor cells from cultures of 8 human colorectal tumor explants to a standard LAK preparation originating from a single healthy donor was assessed in 5 various cytotoxic tests. Target cells were suspended or attached (in three different 51Cr-release 4 hr tests), grown as a confluent monolayer (in a colorimetric 72 hr test) and grown as three-dimensional spheroids (in a 51Cr-release 24 hr assay). The susceptibility to lysis observed for one tumor in the 5 tests varied from 4 to 15 times and was a tumor attribute independent of the susceptibility to lymphocyte attack. There was no correlation of results between the 4 hr tests and a 72 hr test performed on monolayer, or the spheroid test taking into account the resistance of the three-dimensional structure to lymphocyte invasion. Our study excludes the possibility of quantitative interpolation of assessments of tumor cell susceptibility to lymphocytes received from various tests. It also refers to simple reductionist tests which may be compared, however, after ranking the qualitative categories.

Carcinoembryonic antigen and related glycoproteins in psoriasis

Psoriasis is a benign but hyperproliferative skin disease. Psoriatic basal cells show a phenotype similar to that of normal skin, while psoriatic suprabasal cells exhibit a qualitatively altered keratinization pathway, resulting in the absence of the granular layer. These cells further show an abnormal expression of cellular differentiation antigens, which does not lead to tumor development. This immunohistological study demonstrates the appearance of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in psoriatic suprabasal cells below the parakeratotic layer, while other markers such as CEA-related antigens, the nonspecific cross-reacting antigens and alpha-fetoprotein are not expressed. CEA is absent in normal skin, lichen planus, ichthyosis vulgaris and allergic dermatitis. Our data support the notion that dedifferentiation of psoriatic suprabasal keratinocytes is due to the reactivation of early developmental patterns of differentiation in this disease.

Cytokine levels in whole blood cell cultures as parameters of the cellular immunologic activity in patients with malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma

For the determination of cellular immunity status, mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation tests are used, along with measurements of cytokine secretion. The authors have established a test system with whole blood cell cultures in which they measured the following cytokines: alpha-interleukin-1 (alpha-IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma-interferon (tau-IFN), and alpha-tumor necrosis factor (alpha-TNF) in the supernatants by enzymoimmunologic methods. With this system, the authors tested blood samples of 72 patients with malignant melanoma, 38 patients with basal cell carcinoma, and 315 healthy control subjects. In the blood cell cultures of the patients with melanoma, significantly lower values of the lymphokines tau-IFN and IL-2 were found, compared with those of the control subjects, and the levels of the monokines alpha-IL-1 and alpha-TNF were reduced. tau-IFN values correlated with different clinical stages. In contrast, the patients with basal cell carcinoma had equal values for all four cytokines as an age-matched control group.