Interleukin 13 is secreted by human head and neck tumours and does not modulate their growth in vitro

Expression of interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been examined in head and neck cancer cell lines. This interleukin was expressed by all human head and neck carcinoma cells studied, though in varying degrees. The effect of exogenous IL-13 on growth of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck cell lines was also studied. It was found that this cytokine did not modulate the proliferation of four cell lines studied. These results demonstrate that human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck secrete IL-13.