Inhibition of Interferon Yield by Vincristine 1 2

Abstract

Abstract

Vincristine has been shown in vitro to adversely influence the interferon system. In order to further investigate the effects of vincristine on interferon production, we determined the dose of vincristine and the duration of time required to diminish Newcastle Disease Virus-induced human leukocyte interferon production in vitro. Further, mice were treated with vincristine and induced to produce interferon using 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone. The concentration required to diminish interferon yields was the very highest found in man during therapy. The duration of exposure to vincristine (at the highest concentration) required to influence interferon production far exceeded the duration this concentration persists in serum during therapy. Furthermore, the mouse model failed to show any diminished interferon producing capacity for vincristine treated mice. We conclude that while vincristine can clearly diminish interferon yields, current treatment regimens using vincristine probably do not alter interferon production. The mechanism by which vincristine influences interferon yields in vitro appears to be by a direct effect on the ability of the cell to produce interferon.