The aim of the present study was to assess the role of interleukin (IL)‑6 and IL‑8 on the expression of fluid‑phase complement inhibitor, factor H (FH), and FH‑like protein 1 (FHL‑1), in the A2780 ovarian carcinoma cell line. This cell line does not normally produce IL‑6, however, is IL‑6 responsive due to the presence of receptor for IL‑6. The presence of FH and FHL‑1 in the cell lysates was confirmed by western blotting. The levels of FH and FHL‑1 in the medium were determined by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. To evaluate gene expression, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed. The cellular localization of FH and FHL‑1 in ovarian cancer cells was assessed by immunofluorescence. The present study revealed that FH, contrary to FHL‑1, was secreted by ovarian cancer cells, however, this process was independent of IL stimulation. No significant differences were observed in the concentration of FH in the control cells, when compared with the samples treated with IL‑6/IL‑8. The results of western blotting revealed that the protein expression levels of FH and FHL‑1 were not regulated by IL‑6 and IL‑8 in a dose‑dependent manner. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line expressed both membrane bound and intracellular forms of FH and FHL‑1. The present data revealed that the A2780 cells expressed and secreted FH protein and are also able to bind FH and FHL‑1. This may influence the efficiency of complement mediated immunotherapy.