Augmentation of cisplatin cytotoxicity using cytokines on cervical carcinoma cell lines.

We investigated whether the biological response modifiers like IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha could enhance the cytotoxic action of cisplatin on cervical carcinoma cell lines in vitro. The sensitivity of three cell lines SiHa, ME 180 and C33A to these agents was tested using colorimetric MTT assay as well as tritiated thymidine uptake. All the three cell lines demonstrated range of sensitivity to cisplatin and cytokines. Interferons and TNF when used in combination with lower dose of cisplatin showed a significant enhancement of cytotoxic action of the drug in all the cell lines. Thus these data indicate that cytokines in concert with the drug may have a potential to improve the 'in vivo' therapy in these patients.