[Immunological effect of recombinant interferon-gamma in renal cell carcinoma]

The immunological effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was investigated in 18 cases of renal cell carcinoma before and after the operation. In 6 patients, IFN-gamma was administered preoperatively for 21 days (administration group), while 12 patients underwent nephrectomy alone without preoperative treatment (control group). The peripheral immunological effects were measured at before and 12 days after the operation in the administration group and at 11 days in the control group. In the administration group, a marked increase was noted in the test of antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity and natural killer (NK) activity, and slight increase in CD4/8 and CD11b. In low stage cases, no appreciable effect was obtained by the administration of IFN-gamma. However, in high stage cases, IFN-gamma tended to increase the value of ADCC activity and NK activity. Immunohistochemical studies of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in renal cell carcinoma showed a high incidence of CD8 and CD11b in the administration group. Moreover, the presence of CD8 was higher than that of CD4 in the administration group in contrast to the results of the peripheral blood analysis.