Interferon-neutralizing antibodies in a patient treated with human fibroblast interferon

Abstract

In recent years clinical trials showed that human leukocyte interferon (HuIFN-.alpha.) may be useful in the treatment of cancer, but very little was done concerning the possible use of human fibroblast interferon (HuIFN-.beta.). The successful treatment of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma with HuIFN-.beta. was recently reported. In the course of IFN-therapy a HuIFN-.beta. neutralizing activity appeared in the serum of this patient. Such activity is due to IgG antibodies. This is the 1st time evidence is presented for antigenicity of IFN in a homologous system.