PROTEIN 90K STIMULATES THE IMMUNE-SYSTEM IN OVARIAN-CANCER

Protein 90K is a tumor-associated antigen, which is able to enhance th e cytotoxic activity in lymphokine-activated and natural killer cells as well as the IL-2 release in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In our in vitro experiences we observed a stimulatory effect by IFN-alpha and I FN-gamma on 90K-specific mRNA expression and protein release in ovaria n cancer cells, and 90K was furthermore found to be a potent stimulato r of macrophage activity. Protein 90K seems to be involved in tumor im munology: it may represent a critical link between tumor and immune sy stem.