Effects of human recombinant interferon-gamma on immunological parameters in brain tumor patients--report of two...

Two patients with brain tumors were treated with human recombinant interferon-gamma (ReIFN-gamma) in a clinical phase II study, and its effects on their white blood cell counts, T cell subsets, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and tuberculin skin reactions were investigated. Leukopenia developed shortly after the start of therapy and persisted until its discontinuation, after which the white blood cell counts recovered. T cell subsets were dramatically altered, with an increase in OKT4+ cells and a decrease in OKT8+ cells, within 4 hours after the administration of ReIFN-gamma. NK cell activity was suppressed at 4 hours after administration but was slightly enhanced at 12 hours after administration. The tuberculin skin reaction was also enhanced during the therapy. ReIFN-gamma may be effective in augmenting host defenses against brain tumor.