Tumour cells are often sensitized by interferons to the effects of tumour necrosis factor-a-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). We have demonstrated previously that TRAIL has an inhibitory effect on protein synthesis [Jeffrey IW, Bushell M, Tilleray VJ, Morley S & Clemens MJ (2002) Cancer Res62, 2272–2280] and we have therefore examined the consequences of prior interferon-atreatment for the sensitivity of transla-tion to inhibition by TRAIL.