[Modulation effect of cimetidine on the production of IL-2 and interferon-gamma in patients with gastric cancer].

The modulation effects of cimetidine on the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 31 patients with gastric cancer and 32 normal subjects were studied. Their T lymphocyte subsets were also assayed. The IL-2 and IFN-gamma activity in patients were significantly lower than that in normal subjects (P < 0.01). Cimetidine could significantly promote IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. There was a significant negative correlation between OKT8 subsets and the activity of IL-2 and IFN-gamma (P < 0.01). The results showed that cimetidine could be used as an adjunct in the treatment of advanced neoplasm.