Keyhole limpet hemocyanin potentiates standard immunotherapy for melanoma.
BACKGROUND
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.
McFadden
David W
DW
Department of Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9238, USA. dmcfadden@hsc.wvu.edu
Riggs
Dale R
DR
Jackson
Barbara J
BJ
Ng
Alex
A
Cunningham
Cynthia
C
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin