Human lymphoblastoid cells as a source of interferon.

Interferons have considerable antitumour effects in animals, and have been used with encouraging results in patients with osteocarcomas and certain other tumours. So far only relatively small amounts of material suitable for use in man have been prepared, and almost all of this has come from human white blood cells [buffy coats]. Human fibroblast cell lines are now increasingly being used as an alternative source, but the resultant interferon differs in its chemical and biological properties from leucocyte interferon. Lymphoblastoid cells can also be induced to form an interferon which appears identical to buffy coat interferon. These cells can be grown in suspension in large tanks, and could provide large amounts of relatively inexpensive interferon. The advantages of this type of production system and the problems associated with it will be discussed.