[Soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patients with esophageal carcinoma]

The serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were determined in 30 patients with esophageal carcinoma and in 32 normal subjects. In addition, the ability of PBMC to express IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and release sIL-2R following PHA stimulation were studied in vitro. sIL-2R concentrations in sera derived from patients were significantly higher than in sera derived from healthy controls (P < 0.001). The expression of IL-2R by PBMC were decreased in patients, but no difference was demonstrated between the patients and healthy controls in the sIL-2R release. The increased levels of sIL-2R and decreased IL-2R expression by PBMC in patients might reflect the immunologic abnormalities in patients with esophageal carcinoma.