In this study we have shown that IFNβ induces apoptosis in the majority of NPC cell lines and in cells of a patient-derived xenograft at concentrations achievable in humans and that the mechanism of induction of apoptosis is based on the expression of TRAIL in NPC cells and subsequent activation of the TRAIL-signaling pathway in an autocrine way. Here, IFNB1 is linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.