Enhancement of natural killer activity in human peripheral blood by flavone acetic acid.

ABSTRACT

Natural killer cell activity and interferon (IFN) production were measured in 6 patients receiving flavone acetic acid for treatment of cancer. Natural killer cell activity was significantly increased in 3 of 6 patients receiving 6.4 g of flavone acetic acid/m2 by 3-hour iv infusion. Analysis of cell surface markers failed to reveal significant changes in any cell population. There was no evidence of induction of IFN-gamma, but 3 of 4 patients tested had evidence of induction of type I IFN, as measured in a virus neutralization assay.