Changes in serum soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2R) and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) associated with chemotherapy for lung cancer.
Using sIL-2R and IAP values as indices, we examined the effect of administering BRMs to relieve bone marrow suppression and immunosuppression associated with modified VP therapy (CBDCA + VP-16) in patients with lung cancer. G-CSF significantly improved leukopenia. PSK inhibited decreases in the leukocyte count, although the action of PSK was weaker than that of G-CSF. It was shown that there was no relapse or that the course after relapse was slow, in patients showing gradual changes in sIL-2R and IAP values or showing low sIL-2R and IAP levels. Serum sIL-2R levels provide a useful indicators for continuing chemotherapy and evaluating the patient's status. In addition, evaluating a combination of sIL-2R levels and IAP levels allows the prediction of the course of the disease after relapse, and it was suggested that BRMs administration was also useful for maintaining the effects of chemotherapy.