Lissoni P, Tancini G, Barni S, Viviani S, Archili C, Cattaneo G, Fiorelli G
Department of Oncological Radiotherapy, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 1989 Oct-Dec;3(4):181-3.
Melatonin (MLT), the main hormone produced by the pineal gland, has been seen to play a role in antineoplastic activity either by exerting a direct inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth, or by stimulating the immune system. Moreover, MLT blood levels have been shown to be often increased in cancer patients. On the basis of these data, a study was started to evaluate what relation exists between MLT levels and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with metastatic solid neoplasm. The study included 28 patients (breast: 10; non-small cell lung: 18). None of the patients was previously treated for their metastatic disease. Abnormally high MLT levels and a low T helper/suppressor ratio (CD4/CD8) were seen in 10/28 and in 11/28 patients, respectively. Serum mean levels of MLT were significantly higher in patients with low CD4/CD8 ratio than in those with a normal ratio. These results would suggest that immune dysfunctions may represent a signal for MLT release from the pineal in patients with metastatic solid neoplasm.
褪黑素（MLT）是松果体产生的主要激素，已被发现通过对癌细胞生长发挥直接抑制作用或刺激免疫系统，在抗肿瘤活性中发挥作用。此外，癌症患者的MLT血液水平通常会升高。基于这些数据，开展了一项研究，以评估转移性实体瘤患者的MLT水平与T淋巴细胞亚群之间存在何种关系。该研究纳入了28例患者（乳腺癌：10例；非小细胞肺癌：18例）。所有患者此前均未接受过转移性疾病的治疗。分别在10/28和11/28例患者中观察到MLT水平异常升高和T辅助/抑制细胞比值（CD4/CD8）降低。CD4/CD8比值低的患者血清MLT平均水平显著高于比值正常的患者。这些结果表明，免疫功能障碍可能是转移性实体瘤患者松果体释放MLT的一个信号。
