[TNF sensitivity of the established cell lines derived from esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and combined effect of TNF and IFN gamma].

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been reported to have a high selective cytotoxicity to various kinds of tumor cells, but its effect on head and neck cancer is uncertain. To evaluate the effect of TNF on squamous cell carcinoma, we measured TNF sensitivity of six established cell lines derived from esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, TE-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 as well as L-M, FL, WISH, HEp-2 and THP-1 by means of 3H-thymidine incorporation method. HEp-2 derived from human laryngeal cancer, L-M, TE-3 and TE-4 were sensitive to TNF while THP-1, TE-1, 2, 5 and 7 were not. IFN gamma is known to be an inducer of TNF receptor of some kinds of tumor cells. TE-2 and TE-3 were sensitive to IFN gamma. Combined use of these two cytokines resulted in additive inhibitory effect on TE-2 and 3, but no remarkable synergistic effect on any of TE-1, 2, 3 or 4.