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Interferon production in vitro was induced by poly I: C and PHA in leukocytes obtained from patients with cancer, benign diseases and control subjects. The interferon response per lymphocyte was relatively constant in all groups. However, interferon production was slightly inhibited in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. The peak response of interferon occurred at 48 hours after the initiation of the combined culture in each specimen. From our observations, it was suggested that interferon production in vitro seems to be useful marker for evaluation of effect of chemotherapy and or immunotherapy, and, furthermore, in the treatment of cancer patients with interferon inducers, there seems to be optimum BRM dose and optimum timing of administration.

Interferon in the blood was rapidly cleared from the circulation after intravenous injection. Intramuscular injection of alpha-interferon caused low but stable interferon levels in the blood. However, in the case of beta-interferon, interferon was never detected consistently in the blood after intramuscular or subcutaneous administration. Intraarterial administration of beta-interferon also caused low but stable interferon levels in the blood. Our studies suggest that beta-interferon should be given intravenously to see clinical beneficial. No difference in pharmacokinetics was seen between natural interferon and recombinant interferon. No difference was also noted between partially purified interferon and highly purified interferon.