title: alpha-Interferon potentiates the growth inhibitory effects of anti-transferrin receptor monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: We have demonstrated that interferon-alpha 2 recombinant (IFN alpha) inhibits the growth and modulates the expression of the receptor for transferrin (TRF-R) in human epidermoid carcinoma KB cells. Receptor upregulation results in the reconstitution of intracellular iron levels in the IFN alpha-treated cells. Several anti-TRF-R murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been generated which induce tumor cell growth inhibition through blockade of receptor function. We have evaluated by MTT assay the effect of anti-TRF-R 42/6, E2.3, A27.15 and D65.30 MAbs given in combination with IFN alpha on the growth of human epidermoid carcinoma KB cells. We found that IFN alpha and A27.15 MAb induced a synergistic antiproliferative effect on these cells. These results suggest that IFN alpha may potentiate the antitumor efficacy of TRF-R-targeted therapy.
authors.affiliation: UNIV NAPLES FEDERICO II,FAC MED,DIPARTIMENTO ENDOCRINOL & ONCOL MOL & CLIN,CATTEDRA ONCOL MED,I-80131 NAPLES,ITALY.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caraglia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leardi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delaurentiis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Graziano
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deplacido
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tagliaferri