Different effects of interferons, interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α in normal (OSE) and malignant human ovarian epithelial cells

Ovarian cancer arises mostly from the ovarian surface epithelium. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of cytokines in ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells and in ovarian carcinoma cells. Proliferation and expression of surface antigens (CA-125 and classes I and II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex [MHC]) were measured in OSE cells obtained from 7 different patients and 7 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Proliferation of OSE cells remained unaffected by interferon (IFN)-α or IFN-γ, whereas interleukin-I (IL-I) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) increased cell growth. Proliferation of ovarian carcinoma cells was reduced by both types of IFN as well as TNF but was not af…