Interferon as an Inhibitor of Cell Growth: Studies with Mouse Melanoma Cells

Interferon treatment was found to inhibit the growth of Cloudman mouse melanoma cells in tissue culture. This was not associated with a block in the G2 or M phases of the cell cycle. A highly purified interferon preparation, approximately 30% pure, was as effective as a less purified interferon preparation, less than 1% pure, in inhibiting melanoma cell growth. This suggests that interferon rather than contaminants in the preparation is responsible for the effects seen. The growth of the melanoma cells in DBA/2 mice was also retarded upon interferon treatment.