Interferon enhances the activity of the anticancer ribonuclease, onconase.
Interferons (IFN) are biologic agents involved in the antiviral response and the inhibition of tumor growth. Biochemical pathways of IFN action include the double-stranded RNA-activated oligoadenylate synthetase, RNase L, and double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). Extracellular ribonucleases, especially onconase, also display antiviral and antitumor properties and involve degradation of RNA. We find that IFN increases the anticancer activity of onconase. These two agents work synergistically, and the effect is seen at the level of translation probably because of the degradation of tRNA.
Vasandani
V M
VM
Biochemistry Section, Surgical Neurology Branch, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1414, USA.
Castelli
J C
JC
Hott
J S
JS
Saxena
S
S
Mikulski
S M
SM
Youle
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011894:Rana pipiens; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004527:Egg Proteins; D007372:Interferons; D012260:Ribonucleases; C058703:ranpirnase