TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) provide facilities for biologically active substances directly produced by the tumor. In the present study we have investigated the concentration of the following cytokines: TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before treatment. The study group consisted of 20 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (Gr. I). The control group consisted of 18 patients with non-malignant lung disease (6 patients with sarcoidosis and 12 with COPD). All patients underwent bronchoscopy followed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The concentrations of the above mentioned cytokines were measured using Sorin's ETI system for EIA analysis. Statistical analysis was performed within the groups, between the groups, and in different stages of malignant disease. The mean TNF-alpha concentration in Gr. I was 1192 pg/ml/mg p. and was significantly higher than in sarcoidosis (5.3 pg/ml/ mg p.) and COPD (0.5 pg/ml/mg p.). We observed a correlation between TNF-alpha concentration and the stage of malignant disease. The highest concentration was in IIIb stage (2150 pg/ml/mg p.). IL-6 concentration in malignant patients was strongly correlated with TNF-alpha concentration and was significantly higher than in control (265.868 pg/ml/mg p. in cancer patients, in sarcoidosis: 21.694 pg/ml/mg p. and in COPD: 40.708 pg/ml/mg p.). It was the highest in stage II (334 pg/ml/mg p.). IL-1 concentrations were not significantly higher in malignant patients (50.173 pg/ml/mg p., nor in IIIa stage (70.136) pg/ml/mg p. as compared with controls (18.648 pg/ml/mg p. in sarcoidosis and 28.395 pg/ml/mg p. in COPD).