Chemotherapeutic Agents and Modulation of Natural Killer Cell Activity in Vitro

Abstract

The effect of various clinically used chemotherapeutic agents on non-modulated and human .alpha.-interferon (IFN) modulated natural killer cell (NK) activity was investigated. The inhibitors of DNA synthesis, adriamycin, cis-platinum, 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate, did not alter NK cell activity at comparable clinically used doses. Similarly, vincristine and vinblastine, which are antimitotic agents, did not affect the NK activity. Only inhibitors of RNA synthesis L-asparaginase and actinomycin D reduced non-modulated and IFN modulated NK cell activity. [Implications for antineoplastic therapy are considered.].