[Immunomodulating activity of natural killers in patients with breast tumors using vasopressin and interleukin 2 in vitro].

The study included 10 female donors, 12 patients with benign and 59 with malignant tumors of the breast at various stages before and after treatment. The immunomodulating effect of vasopressin and interleukin-2 on blood-natural killer functional activity was studied in vitro. Vasopressin dose of 4 x 10(-1) IU/5 x 10(5) cells exerted an immunosuppressive effect while 4 x 10(-5) IU/5 x 10(5) cells stimulated immunity. The stimulating effect of optimal interleukin-2 dosage (20-40 U/5 x 10(5) cells) on natural killer functional activity appeared 1.5-2-times higher than that optimal vasopressin dose (4 x 10(-5)/5 x 10(5) cells). Combined administration of the agents was not followed by increase in overall effect. Sensitivity of blood-natural killer cells in breast cancer patients to vasopressin and interleukin-2 depended upon clinical pattern, stage of tumor and treatment modality.