Antitumor and radiation sensitizing effects of human leukocyte interferon in vitro

The antitumor and radiation sensitizing effects of interferon (IF) on human fibroblast and KB cell were studied in vitro. Both types of the cells were irradiated by 60Co-γ-rays. When the fibroblast was cultured with IF preparation, IF preparation did not suppress its growth. But the growth of the KB cell was suppressed by IF treatment. When fibroblast was irradiated together with IF treatment (pretreated and posttreated), no effect was detected on its growth. When KB cell was irradiated together with IF preparation, only post-treatment with IF preparation affected its growth. Furthermore, KB cell was studied by the colony formation method. The radiation effect was enhanced by treatment with IF preparation. (author)