Feasibility of high-dose interferon-alpha2b adjuvant therapy for high-risk resected cutaneous melanoma.

The Kirkwood high-dose interferon-alpha2b adjuvant therapy in high-risk-of-recurrence melanoma patients (stage IIb-III) demonstrated a benefit in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) (three trials out of three) and overall survival (OS) (two trials out of three). These important and exclusive results match with a grade 3-4 toxicity in about 75% of patients. This problem is the most limiting of this treatment.

Sequential treatment with interferon and chemotherapy of metastatic malignant melanoma. Total remission of cutaneous and visceral metastasis, but not of cerebral metastasis.

A woman 35 years of age suffering from cutaneous and visceral metastatic melanoma was treated with recombinant Interferon alpha 2b (rIFN alpha 2b) subcutaneously 3 X 10(6) U/m2 3 times a week for 3 months with no apparent effect on the course of the illness. Two months after IFN therapy the patient developed cerebral metastasis. A cycle of carmustine, 100 mg/day for 3 days, was given, and complete disappearance of the cutaneous and visceral, but not of the cerebral manifestations was observed.

Administration of antigen by intralymphatic route in the rat I. Humoral response to soluble antigens. (delta). Preliminary report.

Male rats were immunized against bovine albumin injected by either intradermic or intralymphatic routes. A significantly higher number of animals treated by the latter route did respond, probably because antigens introduced by this route directly reach lymph nodes, by passing blood and tissue lytic enzymes.

Administration of antigen by intralymphatic route in the rat. II. Results in tumor active immunotherapy (delta). Preliminary report.

Tumor growth and survival time were followed in rats transplanted with Morris hepatoma 5123 and previously injected with a crude homogenate of the same tumor by the intradermic or intralymphatic route. Female rats treated by the intralymphatic route showed a longer survival time and impaired tumor growth. Male rats did not show any difference.