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The interferon system in patients with malignant disease.
Journal of Interferon Research
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Cancer patients show high interferon (IFN) levels but their cells poorly respond to IFN, suggesting a cellular deficiency may drive disease progression. This indicates potential for novel therapeutic strategies targeting IFN response in cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- The interferon (IFN) system comprises IFN-producing and IFN-responding cells.
- IFN and IFN-inducer therapies show promise in cancer treatment.
- The endogenous IFN system's role in malignancy is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the competency of the endogenous IFN system in cancer patients.
- To correlate IFN system components with disease status and therapy response.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of blood IFN levels in cancer patients.
- Assessment of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) response to IFN.
- Evaluation of uninduced in vitro IFN production by PBMCs.
Main Results:
- Elevated blood IFN levels were observed in a significant number of cancer patients.
- PBMCs from cancer patients exhibited a deficient response to both endogenous and exogenous IFN.
- Increased spontaneous, uninduced IFN production by PBMCs was noted in cancer patients.
Conclusions:
- Cancer patients possess the capacity to produce IFN.
- A deficient cellular response to IFN may contribute to cancer development and progression.
- Increased spontaneous IFN production suggests a possible intracellular inducer, similar to persistent viral infections.