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Soluble interleukin‐2 receptors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Author(s) -
Lai Kar Neng,
Ho Stephen,
Leung Joseph C. K.,
Tsao Shiu Ying
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19910415)67:8<2180::aid-cncr2820670829>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - medicine , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , serology , gastroenterology , carcinoma , interleukin 2 , radiation therapy , oncology , receptor , prospective cohort study , clinical significance , immunology , antibody
The authors performed a retrospective analysis of serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R) levels in 72 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using an enzyme immunoassay. Their objectives were to determine the value of serum sIL‐2R in estimating the tumor burden, and its predictive value in response to therapy and prognosis. The data showed that serum sIL‐2R levels in patients were significantly higher than that of healthy controls. The serum levels correlated with clinical staging and hence the tumor burden of NPC. Serial measurement of serum sIL‐2R provided an accurate prognostic index of the clinical response to radiotherapy in at least 89% of patients with raised serum sIL‐2R at initial diagnosis (defined as mean + 2 SD of healthy controls) and a reliable predictive index in all patients who subsequently developed distant metastasis despite initial radiotherapy. Simultaneous measurement of Epstein–Barr virus‐related serology (IgA‐VCA and IgG‐EA) failed to demonstrate predictive value comparable with that of serum sIL‐2R. The authors conclude that monitoring serum sIL‐2R levels has clinical and prognostic significance in patients with NPC and that prospective studies are indicated.