The interferon system in carcinoma of the cervix. Effect of radiation and chemotherapy

Abstract

Thirteen patients with advanced carcinoma of the cervix were studied for parameters of the interferon system compared with 40 age-matched and sex-matched controls. All patients had measurable serum interferon levels; controls did not. All patients had non-antibody-type interferon-inhibitory activity, and controls had none. Interferon-synthesizing potential was higher in controls than in patients. After successful radiation and chemotherapy, these parameters normalized in the patients. No change was seen in one patient who did not respond to therapy.

Free interferon‐α/β receptors in the circulation of patients with adenocarcinoma

“…Hardy et al23 reported that, in mice, free soluble IFN receptors can be both agonists and antagonists, depending on the concentration. The concentrations found in the patients in the current study were most likely of the antagonist level, which also was borne out by the clinical and laboratory resistance to IFN therapy reported in previous studies 5, 6, 9, 12. IFN inhibitors most likely originated largely from tumor cells as demonstrated by the fact that successful surgical, radiologic, or chemotherapeutic eradication of neoplastic cells resulted in the elimination of these factors 9, 12.…”

“…Patients who developed AIDS‐related malignancies often demonstrated an inability to respond to IFN. A search for IFN resistance in other clinical conditions resulted in positive findings in certain autoimmune diseases5, 10, 11 and malignancies 9, 12. We found that leukocytes from patients with IFN resistance produce only small amounts of IFN when challenged with IFN inducers 6, 9, 11, 13.…”

Differential effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein gp120 on interferon production by mononuclear cells from adults and neonates

“…In the present in vitro study, gp120 at levels similar to the concentrations in serum in active HIV infections showed significant inhibitory effects on PMA-and Sendai virus-induced IFN production by APBL and CBL, and the suppression was significantly higher with CBL. The degree of IFN suppression is consistent with earlier reports (1,9) which suggest that IFN production and the presence of IFN inactivators in HIV infection and cancer may be correlated with immunopathogenesis of disease. Wu et al (47) showed that IL-12 could induce the production of IFN-␥ by neonatal human CD4 T cells.…”

“…Although HIV infection is associated with dysregulation of various cytokine levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of infected subjects (6,9,12,18,20,22,23,26,30), the source of these cytokines and the specific factors that affect their regulation are the subject of considerable current interest. It is now evident that one of the important consequences of HIV infection is deficiency in the production of the IFNs that otherwise help to prolong the asymptomatic period of infection or assist in clearance of the virus (32).…”

Interferon Inhibitory Activity in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

“…[5][6][7][8][9] HighlevelsofIIAwerealsofoundinlate-stage adenocarcinomas, including those of the colon, prostate, uterus, and breast. 10 When the neoplasmwasremovedbysurgeryorreduced with radiation, a significant reduction in IIA occurred. 9,10 Serum samples from clinical conditions such as vasculitis of systemic lupus erythematosus, 5,6 Wegener granulomatosis, 11 and AIDS also contain IIA.…”