Analysis of antibody response in patients receiving recombinant Escherichia coli-derived human interferon-gamma.

Recombinant Escherichia coli-derived human interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) was given to a total of 20 patients by iv bolus injection at various doses once a week for 4 weeks. The sera obtained 7-10 days after the final injection were analyzed for antibodies against both rIFN-gamma and natural human IFN-gamma. Biological assays demonstrated that the postinoculation sera of the patients did not neutralize the antiviral activities of either rIFN-gamma or natural human IFN-gamma. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that no detectable antibodies against rIFN-gamma were elicited. These results indicate that this rIFN-gamma preparation is not a potent antigen and may be suitable for longer-term clinical trials and applications in the future.