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.