Antitumor effect of recombinant murine interferon-beta against mouse malignant glioma

A study was made on the antitumor effect of recombinant murine interferon-beta (rMuIFN-beta) against virus-induced mouse malignant glioma. In in vitro experiments, a dose-dependent and a time-dependent manner were observed for 24 h in the antiproliferative activity of rMuIFN-beta. In in vitro experiments, the growth of subcutaneously transplanted gliomas in mice treated with intraperitoneal administration of rMuIFN-beta was inhibited slightly, whereas, with intratumoral administration, it was inhibited more effectively. In immunological studies, natural killer (NK) cell and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activities of spleen cells were enhanced with intraperitoneal administration of rMuIFN-beta. The analysis of IFN-induced change in a subpopulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes revealed a decrease of Thy.1,2-positive cells and an increase in the ratio of Lyt.1/Lyt.2-positive cells. But these immunological effects of rMuIFN-beta declined on the 7th day with daily administration. Such hyporeactivity may be noteworthy for the clinical application of IFN.