Topical imiquimod and intralesional interleukin-2 increase activated lymphocytes and restore the Th1/Th2 balance in patients with metastatic melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Patients with metastatic skin disease in malignant melanoma are difficult to treat, with unresectable lesions proving the biggest challenge. We have recently published data showing a significant clinical response in patients with multiple in-transit melanoma metastases treated with a combination of topical imiquimod and intralesional interleukin (IL)-2. Here we report the results of immunological analysis with the aim of highlighting correlations with our clinical findings.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the systemic effects of our localized combination treatment in patients with accessible metastases of melanoma, and to correlate this with their clinical responses.


METHODS
The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients were collected at various time points throughout the treatment. Using antibodies to T-cell subsets we measured the changes in cell populations, and along with polyclonal stimulation, changes in cytokine production from these cells over a treatment course.


RESULTS
We report an increase in the mean CD4/CD8 ratio from 2.78 to 3.54 with treatment (P < 0.01), and a rise in the percentage of CD25+ cells in the CD4+ population from 14.52% to 38.56%. Furthermore, staining with activation and T-regulatory markers showed that the majority of this population is activated T cells. Cytokine analysis on polyclonally stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed an increase in the ability of cells to produce interferon (IFN)-gamma over the treatment course, with an initial rise in the IFN-gamma/IL-5 ratio in five of six patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study provide evidence that, in the majority of patients with in-transit metastases of melanoma, therapy with a combination of topical imiquimod and intralesional IL-2 induces a systemic immunological effect by reversing some of changes noted in patients with malignant disease.
Green
D S
DS
Department of Oncology, St George's University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK. deborahgreen@doctors.org.uk
Dalgleish
A G
AG
Belonwu
N
N
Fischer
M D
MD
Bodman-Smith
M D
MD
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active / Q000379:methods*; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D015415:Biomarkers; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000077271:Imiquimod