[Cytokine regulation in patients with brain tumours]

The aim of the study was to investigate serum levels, as well as the ability to produce in vitro, some pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with brain tumours (BT). Serum concentrations of IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and RA IL-1 were determined in 17 patients with brain tumours, and in 21 healthy donors. The results showed that baseline levels of cytokines studied was above normal in most patients (78%) had the highest rates of IFN-gamma. During the whole observation period, slightly higher in patients compared with healthy individuals (t=1.8) was the content of IFN-alpha. Serum concentrations of IL-4 in patients before treatment were significantly higher than in control group (p<0.01), remaining at about the same level, and after treatment. Levels of Rail-1, IL-6 and IL-8 in patients before treatment were within normal limits, while remaining unchanged at the end of the survey. Indicators induced in vitro production of cytokines studied to some extent correlated with their serum levels. Hyperproduction in vitro IFN-gamma was observed in 61% of patients, low production - 28% of patients, and only in 11% of cases, these figures were within normal limits. In patients with malignant brain tumors were identified violations of serum levels and production of cytokines studied. The most significant was the increase of PHA-induced production of IFN-gamma, which was not reduced by the end of treatment. High serum and, in particular, PHA-induced levels of IFN-gamma at the end of treatment may be recommended as an additional criterion for immunodiagnosis in a dynamic laboratory monitoring.