Differential gamma-interferon response of human colon carcinoma cells: inhibition of proliferation and modulation of immunogenicity as independent effects of gamma-interferon on tumor cell growth.

The effect of recombinant gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) on established human colon carcinoma cell lines as well as fresh tumor cells from colon carcinoma patients has been investigated with respect to growth inhibition, enhancement of HLA expression, and modulation of immunogenicity. A direct antiproliferative activity of IFN-gamma was observed in five of seven cell lines tested, with a reduction of [3H]thymidine incorporation between 30 and 90%. Depending on the cell line, the IFN-gamma doses required for maximal inhibition varied between 20 and 2 X 10(4) units/ml. Independent of this effect, IFN-gamma enhanced the expression of HLA-A,B,C antigens in all cells investigated and induced expression of HLA-DR in three of seven carcinoma cell lines. Antigenic modulation of Class I and II major histocompatibility complex antigens was paralleled by an enhancement of the in vitro immunogenicity in three of four established carcinoma lines and in three of three cases, using cells derived from primary tumor cultures. Induction or enhancement of both proliferative and cytolytic T-cell responses was obtained in allogeneic and in autologous mixed-lymphocyte tumor cell cultures.