Changes in immune function in patients receiving natural leukocyte interferon.
Highly purified human lymphoblastoid interferon derived from virus-stimulated Namalwa cells was administered daily by 6-h i.v. infusion or i.m. injection to 40 patients with a variety of disseminated malignancies refractory to standard therapy. Each patient received escalating doses of 0.1-50 X 10(6) U for up to 5 weeks. Extensive monitoring for changes in various immune functions revealed no sustained elevation in natural killer cell activity, elevated monocyte-mediated antitumor cytostatic activity in approximately 30% of the patients, and depressed lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens and mixed leukocyte culture.
D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
D007370:Interferon Type I