Vol 62, No 4 (2003)
Short communication
Published online: 2003-09-05
The expression of selected neuroendocrine markers and of anti-neoplastic cytokines (IL-2 and IL-12) in lung cancers
Folia Morphol 2003;62(4):497-499.
Abstract
We have continued our studies by detecting three markers of neuroendocrine
tumours of the lungs, including chromogranin A, NSE and synaptophysin, to
confirm the neuroendocrine origin of lung tumours and by examining the content
of two anti-neoplastic cytokines, IL-2 and IL-12 in the tumours. The studies
were performed on paraffin sections of lung carcinoids (n = 13) and small cell
lung carcinomas (SCLC) (n = 15). Pronounced expression of all 3 markers of
neuroendocrine tumours was detected in most of the pulmonary carcinoids and
in 5/15 of SCLC. Co-expression of the two cytokines (IL-2 and IL-12) in tumour
cells was detected in 12/13 patients with lung carcinoid and expression of at
least one cytokine in 12/15 patients with SCLC. Significantly lower numbers of
cells immunoreactive to both cytokines were detected in SCLC as compared to
lung carcinoids. The studies have confirmed the literature data on the lowered
secretion of IL-2 in SCLC and extend the data by supplying information on the
expression of IL-12. The lowered expression of the two cytokines at the time of
diagnosis may represent a prognostic factor for survival in SCLC.
Keywords: smallcell lung carcinomalung carcinoidIL-2 and IL-12 expressionimmunocytochemistry
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