Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

In vitro and in vivo studies on potentiation of cytotoxic effects of anticancer drugs or cobalt 60 gamma ray by interferon on human neoplastic cells

Journal Article · · Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States)

A possibility that interferon may potentiate the cytotoxic effects of anticancer drugs or /sup 60/Co gamma ray on human neoplastic cells was studied by in vitro and in vivo experimental procedures. The human neoplastic cells used were HeLa (uterine cervical cancer) and WI-38 CT-1 (embryonic lung fibroblasts transformed in culture by /sup 60/Co gamma ray) cells. As normal human cells, WI-38 cells were used. Interferon was a preparation of beta-type produced by human fibroblasts. The cytotoxicity was determined by colony formation for in vitro experiments and by tumor growth for animal experiments. Of 17 anticancer drugs, the cytotoxic effects of six drugs, namely, peplomycin, bleomycin, aclacinomycin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and Adriamycin (doxorubicin) were potentiated by concomitant application of interferon. The cytolethal effects of /sup 60/Co gamma ray were also enhanced by interferon. The growth of tumor induced by transplantation of HeLa cells into a nude mouse was remarkably reduced by combination therapy of interferon and 5-FU. The current results indicate a possibility that combined therapy of certain types of anticancer drugs or /sup 60/Co gamma ray with interferon may be effective in treatment of cancer patients.

Research Organization:
Kawasaki Medical School, Japan
OSTI ID:
5948836
Journal Information:
Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States), Journal Name: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States) Vol. 54:10; ISSN CANCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English