IL-1 and TNF-alpha but no IL-2 expression is found in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck by RT-PCR

We studied the expression of IL-1 (Interleukin 1), IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, GM-CSF (granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor), TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) and IFN-gamma (Interferon gamma) in tumor specimens and adjacent mucosa from 12 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) by reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No IL-2 and IL-4 expression was detected in any of the tumor specimens. High level expression of IL-1 and TNF-alpha was found in all 12 samples analyzed. Expression of GM-CSF was detected in 7 (58%) of 12 tumors, IL-10 was found in 3 (25%) and IFN-gamma in 6 (50%) of the samples. No qualitative differences in the cyotokine expression pattern were found between normal and tumor tissue. Our data indicate that there is a lack of cytokines typical for a specific, T-cell mediated immune response in SCCHN. A number of cytokines which are required for the initial steps of immune response however are produced. These results might have implications for future immuno-chemotherapeutical strategies.