[Metastatic uveal melanoma. Development of neoadjuvant treatment in animal experiments].
BACKGROUND
Up to 50% of patients with uveal melanoma develop metastases but none of the existing treatments of the primary tumor has been able to reduce the metastatic rate. Probably, micrometatases have already developed before treatment of the uveal melanoma and dormant micrometastases can persist for years before they start growing. This long time-span provides the possibility to treat micrometastases.


METHODS
In order to develop an animal model for metastatic uveal melanoma, B16 melanoma cells were injected into the posterior ocular compartment of C57BL6 mice. These cells grew and metastasised to the lungs and liver. Immunological factors for the metastatic process and possible neoadjuvant treatments were investigated.


RESULTS
Natural killer cells (NK) are of significance in the rejection of metastases and HLA-I expression of uveal melanomas correlates with the melanoma cell type. Interferon-alpha-2b increases the activity of NK cells and reduces the metastatic rate in the animal model.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with interferon-alpha-2b results in decreased metastases from intraocular melanoma in a murine model.
Dithmar
S
S
Universitäts-Augenklinik Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg.
Adams
A W
AW
Rusciano
D
D
Grossniklaus
H E
HE
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins