Enhanced expression of HLA antigens on gynecologic cancer cells by interferon-gamma.

With flow-cytometry we tested whether or not interferon can induce surface expression of HLA-ABC antigen on cell lines derived from various gynecologic cancers. The tumor cell lines used were Hela S3 derived from cervical cancer, OVK-18 derived from ovarian cancer, HHUA derived from endometrial cancer, SCH, JaR and BeWo derived from choriocarcinoma. 1000 IU/ml of interferon-gamma induced HLA-ABC antigen expression on Hela S3, OVK-18 and SCH but not on BeWo. HLA-ABC antigen was expressed on neither the surface of HHUA or JaR nor was its appearance induced by interferon. The clinical application of interferon may be effective in killing some tumors, taking advantage of the increased expression of HLA antigen.