The effects of recombinant gamma interferon (IFN gamma) on proliferation, estrogen-receptor (ER) content, mRNA level and protein secretion of a breast cancer estrogen-induced protein pS2/BCEI were investigated in two human breast cancer cell lines, ZR75-1 and T47D. Both cell lines have estrogen and progesterone receptors and previously showed HLA class I and class II responses to IFN gamma (Int J Cancer 1990; 45: 1169). An antiproliferative effect of IFN gamma (1000-5000 U/ml) was observed in serum containing medium on ZR75-1 but not on T47D cells. Noninhibitory concentration of IFN gamma (100 U/ml) had sensitising antiproliferative effect with antiestrogens on ZR75-1 cells whereas IFN gamma did not modify the growth inhibition observed in T47D cells with antiestrogens. In serum-free, estradiol-free, phenol-red-free chemically defined medium (Cancer Res 1984; 44: 4553), IFN gamma abolished in ZR75-1 but not in T47D the 30% growth stimulation induced by estradiol. In ZR75-1 cells, IFN gamma induced a transitory 30-50% increase of ER content, as measured by ER-enzymoimmunoassay, at day 2 of culture, and reduced mRNA level and secretion of pS2/BCEI. In T47D cells, a 30-50% decrease of ER content was observed but only when cells were long term cultured (30 weeks) with IFN gamma. In this cell line, no transcription of pS2/BCEI was observed. Antiproliferative action of IFN gamma on ZR75-1 cells is associated with an inhibition of estradiol effects and a reduction of pS2/BCEI mRNA level and protein secretion.