Proliferative and antiproliferative effects of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on cell lines derived from cervical and ovarian malignancies
Article Abstract:
Interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are two of the many cytokines, protein factors released by white blood cells which alter the growth of many types of tissues. In laboratory studies, these two cytokines have blocked proliferation of cell lines derived from cancerous cells, including those taken from malignant female reproductive tissues, but they have been disappointingly ineffective when used in patients. Thus, the actions of these cytokines appear to be complex. To better understand these actions, the effects of the two cytokines on seven cell lines derived from human cervical and ovarian cancers were evaluated. After 24 hours of treatment, tumor necrosis factor significantly increased the growth of one cell line, while interferon increased the growth of that cell line but decreased the growth of three other cell lines. Both cytokines in combination inhibited proliferation of three cell lines, while tumor necrosis factor appeared to block the inhibitory effects of interferon on a fourth cell line. After 72 hours of treatment, tumor necrosis factor increased growth of a cell line which it had not previously affected, and the inhibition by interferon on growth of four cell lines was enhanced, with two other cell lines also being affected. Growth of all cell lines was inhibited by 72 hours of treatment with both cytokines. The results suggest that cytokine effectiveness in patients may depend on sustained administration and on adequate dosage. Further, only certain tumor types may be sensitive to interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These factors decrease growth but may not actually cause cell death, so that slow-growing tumors may be apparently resistant to the factors, and any effects may be lost once treatment is stopped. A combination of the two cytokines appears to be the most effective anticancer therapy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1990
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Reduction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha bioactivity by a human ovarian epithelial cancer cell line in vitro
Article Abstract:
Certain cancer cells from the surface of the ovary may limit the immune system's response to fight the cancer by reducing the effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha may inhibit or promote the growth of cancers. Researchers performed a laboratory analysis of the activity of TNF-alpha in the presence of Caov-3 cells, a type of ovarian cancer. TNF-alpha limited cancer cells' replication, but was not able to kill the cells. Caov-3 cells contained evidence of TNF-alpha messenger RNA but not of TNF-alpha protein. The process by which Caov-3 inhibits TNF-alpha's effectiveness could not be determined but may involve the breakdown of TNF-alpha protein.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1995
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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha response to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in human fallopian tube organ culture
Article Abstract:
Chlamydia infection in the fallopian tube may lead to an immune response that causes damage to the tube. Researchers obtained fallopian tubes following abdominal hysterectomy and inoculated them with Chlamydia trachomatis, the organism responsible for the most common sexually transmitted disease in the US. The surface of the fallopian tube was found to produce increased amounts of the inflammatory protein tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in response to chlamydia. TNF-alpha may induce the production of other inflammatory proteins that together damage the fallopian tubes after chlamydia infection.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1996
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