Effect of murine interferon ?/? on tumor-induced suppressor function

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
T-lymphocyte-mediated immunosuppression has been described in several animal models and in man. In animal models, T-cell-mediated immunosuppression can hasten the development of cancers, permit the growth of tumors in immunocompetent hosts, and inhibit otherwise effective antitumor immunotherapy. Cyclophosphamide can abrogate the T-cell-mediated immunosuppression. However, inappropriately administered cyclophosphamide can adversely affect antitumor immunity. On the basis of data showing that interferon α/β (IFNα/β) and IFNβ selectively abrogate the T-cell-mediated dinitrofluorobenzene-specific suppressor function, we investigated the efficacy of purified murine IFNα/β in manipulating tumorinduced T-cell-mediated immunosuppression in the wellcharacterized P815 mastocytoma model. In this model, generation of cytotoxicity in vitro and its inhibition by T cells correlates with antitumor immunity in vivo. We report that IFNα/β selectively diminishes the generation of tumor-induced suppressor activity.