Skin Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Cancer, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Keyhole limpet hemocyanin potentiates standard immunotherapy for melanoma.

McFadden DW, Riggs DR, Jackson BJ, Ng A, Cunningham C

Department of Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9238, USA. dmcfadden@hsc.wvu.edu

INTRODUCTION: Our hypothesis was that keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) would augment the effects of standard immunotherapies for melanoma including interferon-alpha (AIFN) and interleukin (IL)-2. METHODS: The HTB68 melanoma cell line was treated with KLH, AIFN, and IL-2 as single and combined agents. Cell viability, apoptotic activity, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were all evaluated. RESULTS: Cell growth was reduced with KLH (28%), AIFN (54%), and IL-2 (29%) (all P < .001). KLH and IL-2 combined exhibited a 47% inhibition of cell growth, whereas KLH and AIFN combined yielded a 67% reduction in cell growth (both P < .001). KLH and AIFN combined significantly increased both early (10%) and late (14%) apoptotic activity compared with controls (5% and 7%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The additive effects exhibited by the combination of KLH with AIFN or IL-2 are encouraging and support combination therapy as an effective treatment for this aggressive disease.

Published 22 January 2007 in Am J Surg, 193(2): 284-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Skin Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.