Modulation of anticancer cytokines IL-2 and IL-12 by melatonin and the other pineal indoles 5-methoxytryptamine and 5-methoxytryptophol in the treatment of human neoplasms. 2000

P Lissoni
Divisione di Radioterapia Oncologica, Ospedale S. Gerardo, Via Donizetti 106, Monza, Milan, Italy.

Lymphocyte number still remains one of the most important immune parameters predicting the prognosis of advanced cancer patients. IL-2 and IL-12 are the main antitumor cytokines in humans, and their effect is modulated by the neuroendocrine system, mainly by the pineal gland through the circadian release of melatonin (MLT) and perhaps that of other indole hormones, such as 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MTT), and 5-methoxytryptophol (5-MTP). MLT has been proven to exert important antitumor immunomodulating effects, whereas the possible immunomodulatory properties of the other pineal indoles are still controversial. In an attempt to better define the pineal neuroendocrine regulation of the anticancer cytokine network, we have evaluated in metastatic solid-tumor patients the effects on lymphocyte number induced by different neuroimmune regimens, consisting of MLT alone (20 mg/day orally in the evening), subcutaneous (s.c.) low-dose IL-2 alone (3 MIU/day in the evening for 6 days/week), s.c. low-dose IL-12 alone (0.5 mcg/kg once/week in the morning), IL-12 plus MLT, IL-2 plus MLT, and IL-2 plus MLT plus 5-MTT (10 mg/day orally in the afternoon) plus 5-MTP (5 mg/day orally at noon). The results showed the following evidence: (1) MLT alone is unable to induce lymphocytosis; (2) MLT significantly enhances IL-2-induced lymphocytosis; (3) IL-12 alone determines lymphocytopenia, which can be reversed by MLT; (4) IL-2 plus IL-12 induces a very pronounced lymphocytosis, which can be further amplified by MLT; (5) a total pineal endocrine replacement therapy with MLT, 5-MTT, and 5-MTP further increases IL-2-induced lymphocytosis with respect to MLT plus IL-2 alone. Therefore, this study confirms that IL-2- and IL-12-dependent anticancer immunity is under a pineal modulation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007167 Immunotherapy Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection. Immunotherapies
D007211 Indoles Benzopyrroles with the nitrogen at the number one carbon adjacent to the benzyl portion, in contrast to ISOINDOLES which have the nitrogen away from the six-membered ring.
D007376 Interleukin-2 A soluble substance elaborated by antigen- or mitogen-stimulated T-LYMPHOCYTES which induces DNA synthesis in naive lymphocytes. IL-2,Lymphocyte Mitogenic Factor,T-Cell Growth Factor,TCGF,IL2,Interleukin II,Interleukine 2,RU 49637,RU-49637,Ro-23-6019,Ro-236019,T-Cell Stimulating Factor,Thymocyte Stimulating Factor,Interleukin 2,Mitogenic Factor, Lymphocyte,RU49637,Ro 23 6019,Ro 236019,Ro236019,T Cell Growth Factor,T Cell Stimulating Factor
D008550 Melatonin A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
D008735 5-Methoxytryptamine Serotonin derivative proposed as potentiator for hypnotics and sedatives. Meksamine,Methoxytryptamine,Mexamine,5 Methoxytryptamine
D009362 Neoplasm Metastasis The transfer of a neoplasm from one organ or part of the body to another remote from the primary site. Metastase,Metastasis,Metastases, Neoplasm,Metastasis, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Metastases,Metastases
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000971 Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols The use of two or more chemicals simultaneously or sequentially in the drug therapy of neoplasms. The drugs need not be in the same dosage form. Anticancer Drug Combinations,Antineoplastic Agents, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocols,Antineoplastic Drug Combinations,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocols,Chemotherapy Protocols, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Regimens,Combined Antineoplastic Agents,Agent, Combined Antineoplastic,Agents, Combined Antineoplastic,Anticancer Drug Combination,Antineoplastic Agent, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocol,Antineoplastic Drug Combination,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocol,Chemotherapy Protocol, Antineoplastic,Chemotherapy Protocol, Cancer,Chemotherapy Protocols, Cancer,Combinations, Antineoplastic Drug,Combined Antineoplastic Agent,Drug Combination, Anticancer,Drug Combination, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Anticancer,Protocol, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocol, Cancer Chemotherapy,Protocols, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocols, Cancer Chemotherapy
D015213 Neuroimmunomodulation The biochemical and electrophysiological interactions between the NERVOUS SYSTEM and IMMUNE SYSTEM. Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway,Neuro-immune Axis,Neuro-immune Communication,Neuro-immune Interactions,Neuro-immunomodulation,Neuroimmune Axis,Neuroimmune Communication,Neuroimmune Interactions,Neuroimmune Processes,Vagal Anti-inflammatory Pathway,Vagal-immune Interactions,Neuroimmune Mechanisms,Neuroimmune Process,Anti-inflammatory Pathway, Cholinergic,Anti-inflammatory Pathway, Vagal,Cholinergic Anti inflammatory Pathway,Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathways,Communication, Neuro-immune,Communication, Neuroimmune,Interaction, Neuro-immune,Interaction, Neuroimmune,Mechanism, Neuroimmune,Neuro immune Axis,Neuro immune Communication,Neuro immune Interactions,Neuro immunomodulation,Neuro-immune Communications,Neuro-immune Interaction,Neuroimmune Communications,Neuroimmune Interaction,Neuroimmune Mechanism,Process, Neuroimmune,Vagal Anti inflammatory Pathway,Vagal Anti-inflammatory Pathways,Vagal immune Interactions,Vagal-immune Interaction

Related Publications

P Lissoni
June 1988, Journal of chromatography,
P Lissoni
January 1979, Progress in brain research,
P Lissoni
December 1961, The Journal of biological chemistry,
Copied contents to your clipboard!