Production of IL-2 in CD25 positive malignant lymphomas.

An immune reaction develops in direct contact with lymphomatous cells in lymph nodes invaded by malignant lymphomas. This antitumoral immune response, which may slow down the progression of the disease, is characterized by the presence of activated T cells. We recently showed that production of interleukins by these reactive T cells is one of the mechanisms potentially involved in this antineoplastic response (Peuchmaur et al 1990a). However, several interleukins including IL-2 are potent lymphocyte growth factors, and malignant lymphomatous cells may express the corresponding receptor. This suggests that the immune reaction directed against lymphomatous cells may in some cases lead to the production of the growth factor(s) required for the proliferation of malignant cells.