Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant alpha 2b-interferon
therapy on natural killer (NK) activity and antibody-dependent cell-m
ediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in the peripheral blood in patients with r
enal cell carcinoma who had undergone radical nephrectomy. Patients an
d methods Between January 1988 and June 1989, 20 patients (14 men and
six women, mean age 59 years, range 43-80) received interferon (IFN) t
herapy following radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Thirtee
n patients had stage I disease, one had stage II and six had stage III
; none had metastases. Results There was a significant increase in NK
activity at 5 and 7 months after starting IFN therapy but there was no
increase in ADCC. Conclusions Low doses of IFN administered long-term
increased NK activity in patients with renal cell carcinoma. This fin
ding should be helpful in designating protocols for randomized studies
of post-operative IFN administration as adjuvant therapy.