Elevated Serum IL-17A but not IL-6 in Glioma Versus Meningioma and Schwannoma

Background: There is a Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance and expression of IL-17 in patients with brain tumours.We aimed to compare the levels of IL-17A and IL-6 in sera of glioma, meningioma and schwannoma patientsas well as in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: IL-17A and IL-6 levels were measured in sera of 38glioma, 24 meningioma and 18 schwannoma patients for comparison with 26 healthy controls by commercialELISA assays. Results: We observed an increase in the IL-17A in 30% of glioma patients while only 4% and5.5% of meningioma and schwannoma patients and none of the healthy controls showed elevated IL-17A in theirsera (0.29±0.54, 0.03±0.15 and 0.16±0.68 vs. 0.00±0.00pg/ml; p=0.01, p=0.01 and p=0.001, respectively). Therewas also a significant decrease in the level of IL-6 in glioma patients compared to healthy controls (2.34±4.35 vs.4.67±4.32pg/ml; p=0.01). There was a direct correlation between the level of IL-17A and age in glioma patients(p=0.005). Glioma patients over 30 years of age had higher IL-17A and lower IL-6 in their sera compared tothe young patients. In addition, a non-significant grade-specific inverse trend between IL-17A and IL-6 wasobserved in glioma patients, where high-grade gliomas had higher IL-17A and lower IL-6. Conclusions: Ourdata suggest a Th17 mediated inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of glioma. Moreover, tuning of IL-6and IL-17A inflammatory cytokines occurs during progression of glioma. IL-17A may be a potential biomarkerand/or immunotherapeutic target in glioma cases.     

Relative expression levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokine mRNA are independent prognostic factors in patients with ovarian cancer

The aim of the present study was to examine mRNA expression levels of Th1 (TNF-alpha , IFN-gamma, and IL-12p40) and Th2 (IL-6 and IL-10) cytokines for any association with clinicopathological characteristics of epithelial ovarian cancer. mRNA was isolated, and cDNA prepared from 40 samples of epithelial ovarian cancers. Expression level of each cytokine mRNA was examined by the real-time PCR technique (GAPDH gene, internal control). Expression ratio (target gene/GAPDH) was used to evaluate gene expression. Results were analyzed against clinical stage, histological grade, and histological type. Prognostic significance of expression levels of each combination of Th1/Th2 values was assessed. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) expression levels were significantly higher in serous adenocarcinoma than in non-serous adenocarcinoma (p<0.05), but with no difference between individual cytokine mRNA expression levels and clinical stage or histological grade. Log-rank testing showed that high TNF-alpha mRNA expression (p=0.033) and the diameter of largest residual lesion at initial surgery (p=0.012) significantly correlate with longer survival in advanced stage (II/III/IV) ovarian carcinomas. In examining all combinations of Th1/Th2 expression values, the most significant association was between high IFN-gamma.IL-12p40/IL-6 expression levels and better prognosis in advanced stage (II/III/IV) ovarian carcinomas (p=0.004). In multivariate analysis, high IFN-gamma.IL-12p40/IL-6 expression (p=0.009) and the diameter of residual lesion (p=0.011) remained significantly associated with survival, whereas high TNF-alpha expression lost significance. In conclusion, Th1 and Th2 cytokines might play an important role in regulating the immune reaction in epithelial ovarian cancer cells. IFN-gamma.IL-12p40/IL-6 expression may be a useful prognostic molecular marker for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.     

软骨肉瘤患者Th1/Th2的变化

目的观察软骨肉瘤患者T淋巴细胞亚群中Th1/Th2的变化,为细胞因子免疫治疗提供依据。方法应用放射免疫分析法以及酶联免疫分析法检测32例软骨肉瘤患者血清中IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IL-12的含量,检测外周血单个核细胞在有或无植物血凝素(PHA)存在情况下培养上清中IL-2、IL-4含量。结果软骨肉瘤患者血清及培养上清中IL-2、IL-12减少(P＜0.001),而IL-10、IL-4、IL-6含量增加(P＜0.01),在使用PHA刺激时,患者淋巴细胞分泌IL-2能力显著降低,而IL-4显著升高。结论软骨肉瘤患者体内存在有Th1/Th2平衡失调,其中Th1亚群功能抑制,Th2亚群功能亢进。     

宫颈癌患者Th1／Th2细胞因子表达水平的研究

  目的 检测宫颈癌患者外周血CD+4 T细胞分泌细胞因子的水平变化，分析Th1和Th2细胞的细胞因子免疫活动，为肿瘤的免疫治疗提供实验依据。方法 用刺激物刺激细胞，增加细胞内细胞因子的表达，再加入荧光标记的特异性抗细胞因子单克隆抗体，特异性抗原抗体结合，以流式细胞仪分析特异性细胞因子表达水平。结果 宫颈癌患者Th1型细胞因子白细胞介素-2（IL-2）表达水平较正常对照组降低，差异有统计学意义，而Th1 型细胞因子干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）表达水平较正常对照组差异无统计学意义。Th2型细胞因子白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-10（IL-10）表达水平较正常对照组显著升高，差异有显著性意义。结论 宫颈癌患者Th1型反应模式处于弱势状态，Th2型反应模式处于优势状态，Th1／Th2平衡失调，Th1／Th2平衡向Th2方向漂移，这可能是肿瘤细胞发生免疫逃逸，从而导致肿瘤的发生或者转移的原因之一。     

Topotecan treatment of adults with primary malignant glioma. The Brain Tumor Center at Duke

BACKGROUND: Topotecan activity was evaluated for the treatment of malignant glioma. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with newly diagnosed (n = 25) or recurrent (n = 38) malignant glioma were treated with topotecan [AU: Please verify all dosages here and throughout text.]at a dose of 2.6 mg/m2 over a 72-hour period weekly. Recurrent tumors included glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (n = 28) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) (n = 10). Newly diagnosed tumors included GBM (n = 14), AA (n = 8), and anaplastic oligodendroglioma (n = 3). RESULTS: Partial responses were observed in 2 of 14 evaluable patients with newly diagnosed GBM, 1 of 8 patients with newly diagnosed AA, 3 of 10 patients with recurrent AA, and none of 28 patients with recurrent GBM. Four patients with recurrent AA and 7 patients with recurrent GBM demonstrated stable disease (range, 8-52 weeks; median, 21 weeks). Toxicity was limited to infrequent National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria Grade 3 myelosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that topotecan has modest activity against malignant glioma and continued evaluation of its effectiveness may be warranted when alternative schedules or combination regimens are used.     

YKL-40 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 as potential serum biomarkers for patients with high-grade gliomas.

PURPOSE: Biomarkers can facilitate diagnosis, monitor treatment response, and assess prognosis in some patients with cancer. YKL-40 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are two proteins highly differentially expressed by malignant gliomas. We obtained prospective longitudinal serum samples from patients with gliomas to determine whether YKL-40 or MMP-9 could be used as serum markers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Serum samples were obtained concurrently with magnetic resonance imaging scans. YKL-40 and MMP-9 were determined by ELISA and the values correlated with the patient's radiographic status and survival. RESULTS: High-grade glioma patients who underwent a surgical resection of their tumor had transient increase of both YKL-40 and MMP-9 serum levels in the postoperative period. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients with no radiographic evidence of disease (n = 10 patients, 50 samples) had a significantly lower level of YKL-40 and MMP-9 than patients with active tumor (n = 66 patients, 209 samples; P = 0.0003 and 0.0002, respectively). Anaplastic glioma patients with no radiographic evidence of disease (n = 32 patients, 107 samples) also had a significantly lower level of YKL-40 compared with those patients with active tumor (n = 48 patients, 199 samples; P = 0.04). There was a significant inverse association between YKL-40 and survival in GBM, hazard ratio (hazard ratio, 1.4; P = 0.02), and anaplastic astrocytoma patients (hazard ratio, 2.2; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: YKL-40 and MMP-9 can be monitored in patients' serum and help confirm the absence of active disease in GBM and YKL-40 in anaplastic glioma patients. YKL-40 can be used as predictor of survival in patients with high-grade glioma. Longitudinal studies with a larger patient population are needed to confirm these findings.     

Simultaneous Increase in Serum Levels of IL-37 and IL-18 Binding Protein In Low-Grade and High-Grade Brain Tumors

Background: IL-18binding protein (IL-18BP) might play a role in tumor escape from immune surveillance through interacting with IL-37. Such interactions modulate the antitumor activity of IL-18 and affect regulatory T cell (Treg) function. However, the biological roles of IL-37 and IL-18BP have not yet been explored in brain tumors. This study aimed to investigate serum levels of IL-37 and IL-18BP in high-grade and low-grade brain tumors and determine their associations with pathological characteristics of the patients. Subjects and methods: This case-control study consisted of 60 patients with brain tumors (40 low-grade and 20 high-grade) and 30 healthy controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to measure the levels of IL-37 and IL-18BP in serum. Results: Our results indicated that serum levels of IL-37 and IL-18BP were significantly higher in patients with brain tumors (109.02, 426.37 pg/mL), high-grade (104.44, 428.87 pg/mL), and low-grade (113.88, 426.37 pg/mL) tumors in compared to healthy controls (35.03, 362.00 pg/mL), (P<0.05). Interestingly, our results revealed a significant positive correlation between IL-37 and IL-18BP serum levels in brain tumors (n=60, R=0.42, P=0.001). Our study also showed that serum levels of IL-37 and IL-18BP in glioblastoma grade IV were approximately similar to those in astrocytoma grade II, meningioma type I, and pituitary adenoma. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in serum levels of IL-37 and IL-18BP between patients with low-grade and high-grade tumors (P=0.24 and P=0.61, respectively). Conclusion: The simultaneous increase in IL-37 and IL-18BP serum levels and their positive correlation may facilitate disease progression in low-grade and high-grade brain tumors by inhibiting antitumor immune responses.     

宫颈癌患者血清Th1、Th2细胞因子表达水平及意义

目的 探讨宫颈癌患者血清Th1、Th2细胞因子表达水平及意义.方法 选取宫颈癌患者94例(观察组),同时选取健康女性90例作为对照组,检测两组患者干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、IL-4和IL-6.结果 观察组IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平分别为(52.13±9.55)pg/ml、(38.70±8.96)pg/ml、(27.61±6.22)pg/ml和(32.16±7.81)pg/ml,均高于对照组(P﹤0.05);Ⅲ~Ⅳ期患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平高于Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期患者(P﹤0.05),Ⅱ期患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平高于Ⅰ期患者(P﹤0.05);不同分化程度患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平比较差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05),有无淋巴结转移患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平比较差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05).结论 宫颈癌患者Th1/Th2细胞因子动态平衡紊乱,可能在肿瘤的发生发展中有一定作用.     

乳腺癌患者外周血Th1／Th2细胞因子的漂移及其与病理和临床病程的关系

 目的 检测乳腺癌患者外周血CD+3 T细胞分泌细胞因子的水平，分析Th1和Th2细胞的细胞因子免疫变化，为肿瘤的免疫治疗提供实验依据。方法 用刺激物刺激细胞，增加细胞内细胞因子的表达，加入荧光标记的特异性抗细胞因子单克隆抗体，特异性抗原抗体结合，应用流式细胞仪分析特异性细胞因子表达水平。同时用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测血清中相应的细胞因子。结果 CD+3 T细胞分泌的细胞因子水平及血清中的细胞因子皆表现Th1型细胞因子干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）、白细胞介素-12（IL-12）表达水平较正常对照组显著降低，Th2型细胞因子白细胞介素-4（IL-4）和白细胞介素-10（IL-10）表达水平较正常对照组升高，差异有统计学意义。肿瘤坏死因子-α （TNF-α）表达水平较正常对照组升高，差异有统计学意义。结论 乳腺癌患者体内Th2型细胞因子模式占优势状态，这可能是肿瘤细胞发生免疫逃逸，从而导致肿瘤的发生或者转移的原因之一。     

Absence of mutation of the p73 gene in astrocytic neoplasms

In subgroups of astrocytic neoplasms, including glioblastoma (GBM), mutations of the p53 tumour suppressor gene lead to loss of growth-suppressive properties. A p53-related gene termed p73 has recently been identified; its gene product shows structural and functional similarities to p53. After being mapped to chromosome region 1p36, p73 was proposed to act as a tumour suppressor gene, as this region is frequently deleted in a variety of human cancers, including astrocytic tumours. To determine whether p73 is involved in astrocytoma/GBM development, we analysed 10 pilocytic astrocytomas, 15 WHO grade II astrocytomas, 15 WHO grade III anaplastic astrocytomas, and 20 GBM for p73 gene alterations. In parallel, we used six polymorphic markers to determine the allelic status of region 1p36 in this tumour series. Although loss of heterozygosity was evidenced in 12 of 60 cases (20% of samples), PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing failed to detect any gene mutation in the entire coding region and intronic sequences of p73. Eight tumours displayed five distinct polymorphic nucleotide changes, also present in the corresponding normal DNA. These variations consisted of T-->C variation, with no change in Thr173; C-->T transition, with no change in His197; exon 9 simultaneous double change C-->T and T-->C , with no variations in Ala336 and His349, respectively, and C-->T change at exon 9/-24 position of intron 8. These results suggest that, in astrocytic gliomas, p73 may not play a major role as a tumour suppressor, but the relatively high incidence of LOH confirms the presence at 1p36 of an as yet unidentified gene of this category, with a key function in astrocytoma/GBM progression.     

"Instant-mix" whole brain photon with neutron boost radiotherapy for malignant gliomas

From July 1985 through March 1987, 44 consecutive patients with supratentorial, nonmetastatic anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) were treated with whole brain photon irradiation with concomitant neutron boost at the University of Chicago. All patients had biopsy proven disease and surgery ranged from biopsy to total gross excision. Whole brain photon radiation was given at 1.5 Gy per fraction, 5 days weekly for a total dose of 45 Gy in 6 weeks. Neutron boost radiation was prescribed to a target minimum dose that included the pre-surgical CT tumor volume plus 1 cm margin. Neutrons were administered 5-20 minutes prior to photon radiation twice weekly and a total dose of 5.2 Gyn gamma was administered over 6 weeks. Median follow-up was 36 months. The median survival was 40.3 months for anaplastic astrocytoma (10 patients) and 11 months for glioblastoma multiforme (34 patients) and 12 months for the overall group. Variables that predicted longer median survival included histology (AA vs. GBM), age (less than or equal to 39 years vs. older), and extent of surgery (total gross or partial excision vs. biopsy) whereas tumor size and Karnofsky performance status did not have a significant influence. The median survival of the anaplastic astrocytoma group was better than expected compared to the RTOG 80-07 study (a dose-finding study of similar design to this study) and historical data. Reasons for this are discussed.     

Serum proinflammatory cytokine response in patients with advanced liver tumors following selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with (90)Yttrium microspheres

PURPOSE: To determine the changes in serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines within 48 h after selective internal radiation treatment (SIRT) in patients with advanced liver cancers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-eight patients with advanced liver cancers who underwent SIRT were recruited into the study. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were determined prior to and 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after SIRT. Their changes were correlated to adverse reactions following treatment as assessed by constitutional symptom scores, and routine blood and liver function tests at 24 and 48 h post-SIRT and falls in serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level 1 month post-SIRT. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly increased at 24 (p < or = 0.05) and 48 h (p < or = 0.01) post-SIRT. In contrast, there was no significant change in the serum levels of other cytokines studied. The increase in serum IL-6 at 24 h post-SIRT was significantly correlated with the changes in serum alanine transferase (p < or = 0.05) and C-reactive protein (p < or = 0.001) levels and total leukocyte counts (p < or = 0.001) at both 24 and 48 h post-SIRT. Changes in serum IL-6 level were also significantly correlated to the rise of serum aspartate transaminase levels at 48 h post-SIRT (p < or = 0.001), but not with the scores of constitutional symptoms or the changes of serum CEA at 1 month post-SIRT. CONCLUSION: Absence of significant changes in most of proinflammatory cytokines studied confirmed that SIRT is a reasonably safe and well-tolerated treatment with minimal side-effect from the point of view of cytokine-related inflammation. The correlation of serum IL-6 changes with several liver enzymes and C-reactive protein but not with clinical symptom scores or serum CEA levels suggests that the rise in IL-6 levels in the first 48 h following SIRT most likely reflect normal liver cell damage rather than tumor cell damage.     

Th1 cytokine pattern (IL-12 and IL-18) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) before and after treatment with interferon gamma-1b (IFN-gamma-1b) or colchicine in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF/UIP)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Characterization of the biologic effects of Th1 cytokines will enhance the understanding of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) pathogenesis and treatment selection. Th1 response is characterized by increased expression of IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18. The present study aims to evaluate the role of Th1 cytokines and their possible changes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), before and after treatment with IFN-gamma-1b or colchicine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied prospectively 10 patients (8 male, 2 female) of median age 67 yr with histologically confirmed IPF/UIP. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either IFN-gamma-1b 200 microg sc (5 patients) or colchicine 1 mg qd (5 patients) plus prednisone 10 mg qd. BALF IL-12 and IL-18 levels were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: BALF IL-12 levels before and after treatment did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. However, BALF IL-18 levels were significantly decreased after treatment with IFN-gamma-1b (mean +/- SD, 58.4 +/- 15.6 pg/mL vs 42.8 +/- 4.90 pg/mL, p < 0.05). A significant difference was also found after treatment with colchicine (mean +/- SD, 66.8 +/- 36.9 pg/mL vs 42.6 +/- 1.08 pg/mL, p < 0.01). A significant correlation was found between IL-18 BALF levels and the BALF neutrophils (r = 0.75, p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the potential role of IL-18 as an inflammatory marker in the pathogenetic pathway of IPF such as its possible downregulation by IFN-gamma-1b treatment. Further studies are needed in a higher number of patients in order to define the precise role of both cytokines during the immunoregulatory response with IFN-gamma-1b.     

Evaluation of inflammatory cytokines in malignant and benign pleural effusions

We measured the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in pleural effusions and serum in 65 consecutive patients: 32 with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) (group A), and 33 with inflammatory benign pleural effusion (BPE) (group B). Serum levels of 15 healthy individuals served as control. Concentrations of IL-1alpha were higher in serum compared to pleural fluid in both groups (47.1+/-33.9 vs. 25.9+/-1.7 fmol/ml, p<0.001, in group A; and 39.9+/-30.9 vs. 25.4+/-16.3 fmol/ml, p<0.02, in group B). Similarly, concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-2 were significantly higher in serum compared to pleural fluid in both groups. In contrast, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were found at high concentration in MPE in comparison to serum IL-6: 171.8+/-60.4 vs. 7. 2+/-7 fmol/ml (p<0.001), IL-8: 1175.15+/-2385.6 vs. 285.2+/-187.2 pg/ml (p<0.05), TNF-alpha: 204.9+/-82.9 vs. 79.4+/-31.9 fmol/ml (p<0. 001). Similarly, pleural concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were higher in BPE patients in comparison to serum IL-6: 124.3+/-56. 2 vs. 8.6+/-6.4 fmol/ml (p<0.001) IL-8: 2109.2+/-4121.5 vs. 291. 6+/-197.9 pg/ml (p<0.02), TNF-alpha: 183.8+/-28.2 vs. 86.2+/-23.9 fmol/ml (p<0.001). These data suggest that IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha might be secreted locally at the site of active disease both in benign and malignant pleural effusions.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞对晚期肺癌患者免疫抑制作用的研究

目的 探讨Treg及Th1/Th2类细胞因子在晚期肺癌肿瘤免疫抑制中的作用.方法 选取100例初治晚期肺癌患者及50例健康自愿者.采用流式细胞术检测其外周血中Treg、Th1类细胞因子(IFN-γ、IL-2、TNF-a)、Th2类细胞因子(IL-4、IL-6、IL-10)水平,同时分析CD4+CD25+Treg与Th1/Th2类细胞因子之间的相关性.结果 ①晚期肺癌患者外周血中Treg为(11.12±5.83)%,高于健康对照组(7.46±3.07)%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.003);②化疗前肺癌患者外周血中Treg为(11.12±5.83)%,明显高于化疗后(6.45±3.74)%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);③晚期肺癌患者与正常对照组Th1/Th2类细胞因子水平分别为:IFN-γ(8.56±3.62 vs 10.79±3.27,P=0.049)、IL-2(8.48±2.87 vs 10.22±4.03,P=0.03)、TNF-a(6.18±2.67vs8.14±2.87,P=0.007)、IFN-γ/IL-4(3.33±1.44 vs 4.09±1.00,P=0.028)、IL-4(3.17±1.19 vs 2.45±0.43,P<0.001)、IL-6(3.88±2.08 vs 2.33±0.88,P<0.001)、IL-10(3.64±1.73 vs 2.54±1.08,P=0.008),其中Th2类因子水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05);④CD4+CD25+Treg与Th1类细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-a、IL-2及IL-6无相关性(P均>0.05);与Th1/Th2(γ=-0.273,P=0.003)呈负相关;与Th2类细胞因子IL-4(γ=0.237,P=0.009)、IL-10(0.626,P<0.001)呈正相关(P均<0.05).结论 晚期肺癌患者CD4+CD25+Treg、Th2类细胞因子水平显著升高,Th1类细胞因子水平下降,它们共同导致肿瘤患者免疫抑制及肿瘤进展,监测其水平变化有助于判断肺癌患者疗效、预后,有效调控CD4+CD25+Treg及负性细胞因子水平可能是治疗肺癌的一个新策略.     

Plasmatic cytokine network in patients with laryngeal carcinoma after surgical treatment

Alterations in host immunity, inflammation, angiogenesis and metabolism are all prominent clinical features in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Although the origin of the signals and mechanisms underlying these responses are not well understood, their local and systematic nature suggest that squamous cell carcinoma-produced cytokines with proinflammatory and immunoregulatory activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of LSCC. In order to gain a better insight into the roles and relationships of the cytokines, we investigated serum IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 concentrations in LSCC patients under baseline conditions and after surgery. In comparison with controls, all the patients had higher plasma IL-10 concentrations before surgical treatment (T0), while plasma IL-6 and IL-12 concentrations were higher in 22 (84.6%) and 24 patients (92.3%). The differences in plasma IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 concentrations at T0 and T1 were statistically significant (p<0.001, p<0.0046 and p<0.011). Our finding suggest that plasma cytokines are overexpressed in LSCC patients. There was an independent increase in plasma IL-6 levels before and after surgical treatment. Furthermore, the up- and down-regulation of plasma IL-10 and IL-12 suggest a regulatory relationship between them.     

Survival Results from a Phase I Study of Etanidazole (SR2508) and Radiotherapy in Patients with Malignant Glioma

Purpose: To report the survival results from a previous Phase I study of etanidazole (ETA) and radiotherapy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM n = 50) or anaplastic astrocytoma (AA n = 19) and examine survival according to age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and implant status.Patients and Methods: In a previous Phase I study, 70 previously untreated patients (median age 49) with malignant gliomas were accrued. One patient was excluded from analysis because pathology was unverifiable. All had KPS ≥ 70. Prior to initiation of treatment, patients were stratified according to whether they were candidates for interstitial implantation. The implant patients (IMP n = 14) received accelerated fractionation radiotherapy (XRT) 2 Gy BID (6 hours apart) to 40 Gy in 2 weeks with ETA 2 gm/m² × 6 doses, a 2 week break, and then interstitial implant for an additional 50 Gy (4–7 days) with a continuous infusion of ETA over 90–96 hours. There were 55 patients treated on two sequentially conducted non-implant arms. These patients started with accelerated fractionation XRT 2 Gy BID (6 hours apart) to 40 Gy in 2 weeks with ETA 2 gm/m² × 4–5 doses/week. Non-IMP1 arm (n = 41) received a 2-week break before standard fractionated boost XRT of 2 Gy/day for 2 weeks to a total dose of 60 Gy with ETA. Non-IMP2 arm (n = 14) did not have the 2-week break. All patients had plasma pharmacokinetic monitoring of ETA. Subsequent follow-up study provided information regarding long-term survival status of this group of patients. The Phase I toxicity evaluation was conducted according to the RTOG toxicity scale and was found well tolerated in both groups. Overall actuarial survival was plotted for all patients, by histologic group, and by implant status. Subset analyses of GBM patients by age (≤ 49 or > 49 years), KPS (≤ 80 or > 80) and implant versus non-implant were also performed.Results: Median survival of GBM patients was 1.1 years and that of anaplastic astrocytoma patients was 3.1 years (p = 0.0001). In GBM patients, KPS > 80, implanted patients, and age ≤ 49 were factors found not to be associated with a statistically improved survival.Conclusion: The results of survival in this Phase I etanidazole study of patients with anaplastic astrocytoma are comparable to the results from other studies using bromodeoxyuridine, iododeoxyuridine, or procarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), and vincristine. The use of etanidazole with accelerated radiotherapy does not appear to improve survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme compared to those treated with conventional therapies.