Impaired proliferative response and low interleukin-2 production in patients with lymphoma.

1. The proliferative response of phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes from patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was compared to their interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. 2. Impairment in the lymphoproliferative response paralleled a reduction in IL-2 production. 3. Suppressor cells and serum factors which depressed the proliferative response of the patients' lymphocytes inhibited IL-2 production. 4. Enhanced prostaglandin synthesis was one of the factors causing impairment of the proliferative response and the diminished IL-2 production in lymphocytes from patients with lymphoma. 5. A partial restoration of patients' cellular responses in vitro was achieved by adding conditioned media containing IL-1 or IL-2.