title: Keyhole limpet hemocyanin: an effective adjunct against melanoma in vivo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have previously demonstrated the potent in vitro antiproliferative effects of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) against melanoma. Our prior studies directed us to hypothesize that KLH would be effective in vivo against melanoma, alone and in combination with conventional immunotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were inoculated with 2 x 10(7) HTB68 cells and randomized to 6 groups. Treatment groups consisted of control, KLH 200 microg, alpha interferon (AIFN) 1000 IU, interleukin-2 (IL-2) 5000 IU, KLH + AIFN, and KLH + IL-2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KLH + IL-2 exhibited the greatest reduction in tumor volume (30%) as compared to control (P = .014), followed by KLH + AIFN (28%, P = .031). Singly treated animals had less tumor inhibition: IL-2 (30%, P = .022), KLH (18%, not significant), and AIFN (16%, not significant).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KLH augments the effects of AIFN, one of the standard immunotherapeutic agents against melanoma in vivo. Further in vivo and early clinical studies into the effects of KLH as both a single and combined agent are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: Dale R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Riggs
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: McFadden
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin