Cytokine release from mononuclear cells in patients irradiated for breast cancer

Mononuclear cells from blood of 19 breast cancer patients were cultured in vitro before and following postoperative radiation treatment. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) were determined in supernatants from stimulated and unstimulated cultures with or without addition of indomethacin. The release of all three cytokines was uninhibited in tumour patients. Spontaneous IL-1 secretion was increased in patients compared to controls. Indomethacin enhanced IFN-gamma release and spontaneous and induced TNF-alpha secretion in all groups but stimulated IL-1 only in irradiated patients. In patients with a low tumour burden, ability to produce cytokines seems to be unchanged although increased spontaneous IL-1 secretion indicates macrophage activation. Cyclooxygenase inhibition in conjunction with irradiation might be tried as a therapeutic modality in patients with cancer.