Metastatic melanoma: transplenic immunostimulation--a new therapeutical alternative for an ever-challenging disease.
OBJECTIVE
The successful management of metastatic melanoma is mostly relevant to the feasibility of a sustained immunostimulation requiring high doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Sustained immune response is initiated, in terms of cellular and humoral immunity, persisting for 15 days following the end of exogenous IL-2 transplenic administration.


METHODS
We proceed to the transplenic immunostimulation using IL-2 suspended in lipiodolurografin emulsion through an arterial catheter, which is introduced into the splenic artery through laparotomy for the management of patients with advanced metastatic melanoma. Eligible for our study were 19 patients undergoing transplenic immunostimulation and locoregional or systemic chemotherapy, in relation to the site of the disease. In cases of metastatic liver melanoma, transtumoral immunostimulation was also carried out.


RESULTS
Complete response to the regimen, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease were observed in 21%, 42%, 16%, and 21%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Transplenic immunostimulation has promising potentials in metastatic melanoma patients, on the basis of present results.
Lygidakis
N J
NJ
Athens Medical Center, Apollonio Therapeutic Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Greece. igsc@compulink.gr
Safioleas
M
M
Sgourakis
G
G
Spentzouris
N
N
Dedemadi
G
G
Sotiropoulou
P
P
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D013157:Splenic Artery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007376:Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma