[Immunostimulating protein 90K in ovarian carcinoma]

Protein 90K is a tumor-associated antigen, which is able to enhance the cytotoxic activity in lymphokine-activated and natural killer cells as well as the IL-2 release in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In our in vitro experiences we observed a stimulatory effect by IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma on 90K-specific mRNA expression and protein release in ovarian cancer cells, and 90K was furthermore found to be a potent stimulator of macrophage activity. Protein 90K seems to be involved in tumor immunology; it may represent a critical link between tumor and immune system.