ACTIVATION OF PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES IN PATIENTS WITH GYNECOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES BY SIZOFIRAN AND RECOMBINANT INTERFERON-GAMMA

We investigated the influence of the combined use of sizofiran, a beta -1,3-glucan and a recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) upon biolo gical activities of peritoneal macrophages (Mphi). The number of perit oneal Mphi and the production of cytokines (interleukin-1beta, interfe ron-gamma and tumor necrosis factor) was increased by the combined tre atment. Fully activated peritoneal Mphi based on the increased number of elongated pseudopods were observed by electromicroscope. Sizofiran seems to assure a sufficient supply of Mphi to kill tumor cells in the peritoneal cavity and co-administered rIFN-gamma seems to directly st imulate the accumulated Mphi in addition to its direct cytotoxicity ag ainst tumor cells. This combination therapy may be a step to the preve ntion of the recurrence of gynecological malignancies including ovaria n cancer, after a negative second-look laparotomy.