[Effect of interferon alpha on immunologic parameters in patients with carcinoma of the renal parenchyma]

A wide range of immunological abnormalities have been described in renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). The only constant one was the decrease of CD4/CD8 ratio, reversible following radical nephrectomy in the absence of metastases. Alpha-interferon was administered with variable benefit to patients with metastatic RCC. The aim of this study was to document whether the treatment of patients with metastatic RCC, with unpurified human alpha-interferon, induced any change in the number and functional properties of peripheral blood T lymphocytes and monocytes. Fifteen patients were included in the study; all were treated with IFN 2,000,000 IJ/24h x 15 days, with an intercycle interval of 15 days during at least 4 cycles. The immunological analyses included the percentage and absolute number of E-rosette forming cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4/CD8 ratio as well as the percentage and absolute number of monocytes and their phagocytic index toward the yeast particles. The analyses were done before the treatment and after the 4th cycle of the IFN therapy and compared toward the same analyses done in 22 healthy controls. Following IFN treatment two significant changes were noted: a decrease in CD4/CD8 ratio (mean 1.050 fall for 19% to 44%, mean 27.25% from the initial value) as well as a marked decrease in monocyte phagocytic index (p < 0.005). These data point to either disease-related or treatment-related decrease in the phagocytic properties of monocytes and the decrease of CD4/CD8 ratio.