Interleukins 2 and 12 activate natural killer cytolytic responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomae

Objectives: To examine the capacity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) to modulate the cytolytic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells against squamous cell carcinoma, and to determine whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors respond differently to IL-12 than do peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Design: Case-comparison study of a consecutive sample of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who were scheduled to undergo surgical excision. Participants: The study included 10 patients with stage III or IV carcinoma matched with 10 volunteer blood donors. Intervention: Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients and volunteers were treated with IL-2, 10 U/mL and 100 U/mL; IL-12, 1 U/mL or 10 U/mL; or a combination of IL-2 and IL-12. Results: The combination of IL-2 and IL-12 consistently produced the greatest activation of cytolysis than either cytokine alone at all concentrations tested. This increased activity against a squamous cell carcinoma cell line was seen in lymphocytes from volunteers and patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a new treatment regimen for the patient with head and neck cancer that uses immunomodulation with a combination of cytokines.