Assessing potential risk for a carcinogenic effect of release-active antibodies to interferon-gamma with the Ames test and in vivo cytogenetic test

Abstract

During development of a tumor, the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFNγ) plays an important role in resistance of the immune system. The released-active form (RA) of antibodies (Abs) to IFNγ is able to change the conformation of IFNγ molecule to affect its receptor binding and thereby enhance production of this cytokine. The aim of the present study was to assess the risk for a tumorigenic potential of RA anti-IFNγ Abs. Methods. RA anti-IFNγ Abs were studied using standard mutagenicity testing (Ames test and in vivo cytogenetic assay). Results. The tested drug induced neither gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium in the Ames test nor chromosomal aberrations in murine bone marrow cells. Conclusion. The present study did not reveal any risk for tumorigenic potential of RA anti-IFNγ Abs.