Abstract.
T-helper (Th)1/Th2 imbalance has been observed in a variety of pathological conditions, including malignant diseases. We evaluated the Th1/Th2 balance in peripheral blood Th cells by means of intracellular cytokine analysis in 19 patients with previously untreated B-cell diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) and in 18 patients with B-cell DLCL who had achieved complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy. The mean percentage of Th2 in CD4+ cells in patients with DLCL (5.00±2.20) and that of Th1 in CD4+ cells in patients in CR (32.42±11.30) were significantly increased in comparison with those in healthy volunteers, respectively (Th1; 23.02±9.45, Th2; 3.25±0.90; P<0.01). The mean ratio of Th1/Th2 was significantly lower in patients with DLCL (4.74±0.52) than in patients in CR (9.31±1.06; P<0.01) and in healthy volunteers (7.25±0.65; P<0.01). We conclude that the Th1/Th2 balance was polarized to Th2 in untreated DLCL patients and to Th1 in patients in CR, which suggests that a Th1/Th2 imbalance could play a role in lymphomagenesis and durable remission.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mori, T., Takada, R., Watanabe, R. et al. T-helper (Th)1/Th2 imbalance in patients with previously untreated B-cell diffuse large cell lymphoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 50, 566–568 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-001-0232-8
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-001-0232-8