Variable expression of the interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain and MYC genes in lymphocytes from renal cell carcinoma patients treated with interleukin-2.

We have studied the expression of the interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain, c-MYC and L-MYC genes in lymphocytes obtained from four renal cell carcinoma patients undergoing an interleukin-2 clinical trial. Two of these patients exhibited stable disease after the interleukin-2 therapy and two exhibited progressive disease. Analysis of mRNA levels by dot blot hybridization indicated that changes in the expression of both the interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain and c-MYC genes were erratic and varied widely between patients. L-MYC expression was not observed in any sample. There appeared to be little correlation between the changes in gene expression and parameters such as thymidine incorporation, the proportion of CD25 positive cells present or cytotoxic activity. The situation in vivo therefore appears to be more complex than would be predicted from in vitro studies.