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Treatment of patients with disseminated colorectal cancer with recombinant human alpha2‐interferon. Studies on the immune system
Author(s) -
Einhorn Stefan,
Wasserman Jerzy,
Lundell Göran,
Blomgren Henric,
Cedermark Björn,
Jarstrand Connie,
Petrini Björn,
Strander Hans,
Theve Tolle,
Öhman Ulf
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910330214
Subject(s) - monoclonal antibody , immune system , interferon , immunology , immunotherapy , antibody , recombinant dna , in vitro , colorectal cancer , alpha interferon , natural killer cell , in vivo , biology , medicine , cancer , cytotoxicity , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , gene
The influence of recombinant human alpha 2‐interferon (alpha 2‐IFN) therapy on various aspects of the immune system was studied in 18 patients with disseminated colorectal cancer. The IFN was given as continuous (20 × 10 6 units/m 2 three times weekly) or intermittent (50 × 10 6 units/m 2 daily for 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks) treatment. Natural killer (NK) cell activity increased during continuous treatment and in the patients receiving repeated cycles of IFN, all cycles seemed to be associated with an elevation of NK activity. Prior to treatment, addition of IFN to the assay in vitro induced an enhancement of NK activity, whereas during treatment, IFN in vitro did not cause any further enhancement of NK activity. The proportions of total T cells, suppressor T cells and helper T cells, as measured by Leu 1, Leu 2a and Leu 3a monoclonal antibodies, were not altered to any major extent during treatment. This was found to be the case also for the number of cells detected by monoclonal antibodies against NK cells (Leu 7). The phagocytic activity of granulocytes was not altered during IFN therapy, whereas the capacity of these cells to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) increased after the first injection of IFN. The in vivo influence of high doses of highly purified recombinant alpha 2‐IFN on NK cells and granulocytes seems to be similar to that of partially purified natural IFN‐alpha.