Objective: To investigate the changes in serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) level in a hamster model bearing cheek pouch carcinoma after heavy ion beams irradiation.
Methods: The serum levels of IL-2 were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay in 40 hamsters bearing cheek pouch carcinoma before and after exposure to heavy ion beam irradiation, with 8 normal animals as control.
Results: Serum IL-2 level was 0.16∓0.01 in the tumor-bearing hamsters before the irradiation, lower than that in the control group. After heavy ion beams irradiation at 4, 6, 8, and 12 Gy, serum IL-2 levels in the tumor-bearing hamsters were 0.18∓0.04, 0.22∓0.05, 0.15∓0.03, and 0.13∓0.04, respectively, showing a peak level after irradiation at 6 Gy and an obvious decrease following irradiation at greater doses.
Conclusion: Heavy ion beam irradiation causes alterations in serum IL-2 level with a dose-effect relation between them in hamsters bearing cheek pouch carcinoma.