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. 1983 Dec;16(2):77–80. doi: 10.1007/BF00199235

Influence of human interferon-α therapy on cytotoxic functions of blood lymphocytes

Studies on lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and natural killer cell activity

Stefan Einhorn 1,, Henric Blomgren 1, Hans Strander 1, Jerzy Wasserman 2
PMCID: PMC11039295  PMID: 6559104

Abstract

Various cytotoxic functions of blood lymphocytes were studied in 101 patients undergoing daily treatment with human interferon-α (IFN). Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity were not altered to any major extent after 1 day or 1 week of IFN therapy. After 3 and 6 months of treatment a decrease in these functions was observed in most patients. Natural killer cell activity increased following the first injection of IFN and remained elevated during 1 year of IFN therapy.

Keywords: Cancer Research, Natural Killer, Natural Killer Cell, Cell Activity, Killer Cell

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