The effects of recombinant interleukin 2 on HBe antigen positive chronic hepatitis B.

Recombinant interleukin (IL-2) was administered to 16 patients with HBe antigen-positive chronic active hepatitis in which the diagnosis was ascertained histologically. In 7 of the 16 patients, a decrement of the serum HBe antigen value was observed (Group A). In group A, the findings showed an increment of peripheral Leu 11-positive cells and NK and LAK cell activity, an acute exacerbation during and after IL-2 administration, disappearance of HBc antigen observed in liver biopsy histology, and decrement of serum DNA-p activity. However, seroconversion of HBs antigen was not observed and no case showed the elimination status of continuous HB virus infection. On the other hand, in the other 9 patients (Group B), these changes were not observed and the existence of a HLA type difference between Group A and B was shown by HLA analysis. These results indicated that the immune responses mediated by IL-2 may play an important role in the development of chronic hepatitis B, and these results may be regulated genetically.

The influence of transmeridian flight on human circulating lymphocytes.

We studied the influence of transmeridian flight on the number of circulating lymphocytes, which have a circadian rhythm with low values in the daytime. The number of T lymphocytes was found to be higher than the baseline value, yet its rhythmicity was maintained after eastward flight with an 8-h time difference. The number of OKB2+ as well as Leu11+ cells were suppressed after the flight. The change in the number of T lymphocytes occurred due to the increased number of OKT4+ lymphocytes. There was no correlation between the number of OKT4+ lymphocytes and the plasma cortisol level, though plasma cortisol is a major factor in regulating the number of lymphocytes. These data showed that the number of helper/inducer T lymphocytes, B cells, and natural killer cells were affected by the physical conditions experienced after the flight. The changes in T lymphocytes were independent of those of plasma cortisol levels.

[The effect of local administration of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) on metastatic gastric tumor: report of an autopsy case].

The case is reported in which local administration of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) was successfully performed. A 54 year-old female who was operated on for advanced gastric cancer 15 years ago suffered from dyspnea and swelling of left anterior cervical lymph nodes. The histological examination of the cervical lymph node biopsied and cytological finding of pleural effusion confirmed the metastasis of adenocarcinoma. 11 x 10(6) unit of rIL-2 (S6820, Shionogi) per day was administered into the pleural cavity 8 times per month and this therapy was successful in decreasing a amount of pleural effusion. Simultaneously the number of tumor cells in pleural effusion was diminished, the CEA level in pleural effusion were also decreased and the LAK activities of prepared lymphocyte from pleural effusion were augmented. 6.5 x 10(6) unit of rIL-2 was also administered per day locally into the left anterior cervical lymph nodes 13 times per month and induced the decrease of lymph node swelling. A slight fever which can be controlled with antipyretic agent easily was only symptom after local administration of rIL-2. Besides the success of these treatment, the general condition gradually deteriorated. She died 6 month after admission. The autopsy revealed that only one anterior cervical lymph node was slightly enlarged and there is a few tumor cells in the lymphatic sinus. No other lymph node was found around the cervical area. There are a prominent pleural fibrous adhesion including only a few tumor cells infiltrated. These findings strongly indicated the clinical usefulness of local administration of rIL-2.