To investigate the clinical significance of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines during the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Fifty-six cases preliminarily diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled in this study. The peripheral blood samples were collected before patients receiving, the first, the second, the third and the fourth cycle of chemotherapy. The serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ) were detected by flow cytometry microsphere array (CBA) method. The relationship between these indices and the treatment stages of patients with non-small cell lung cancer was analyzed.

After the fourth cycle of chemotherapy, the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-α increased significantly, and there was a significant difference between the three groups (P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were significantly decreased compared with those before chemotherapy (P<0.05). The level of IFN-γ was fluctuant in the chemotherapy stage, and there was a significant difference between that in the first cycle of chemotherapy and in the second to fourth cycles of chemotherapy (P<0.05).

The level of Th1/TH2/Th17 cytokines reached a trend of stability with the relaxation of NSCLC chemotherapy. It shows that imbalance of cytokines lead and leading to immune disorder is of great significance in the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.