CYTOKINE THERAPY OF MALIGNANT-MELANOMA

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasia of melanocyte origin appearing mainl y in the skin. About one third of all melanomas detected disseminate, with the metastatic spread occurring either via lymphatic or blood ves sels. In the treatment of advanced melanoma the conventional chemother apy or radiotherapy has not been very successful. Melanoma is known to have immunologically provocative features. In recent years immunologi cal therapies, mainly cytokines, have been applied in the treatment of melanoma. The most widely used cytokines are interferons and interleu kin-2. These agents are used either alone or in combination with each other with chemotherapeutics. Interferon and interleukin-2 therapies h ave yielded response rates of 15-20% on average, wheareas combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy offer response rates as high as 50- 60%. Unfortunately, average survival of patients with disseminated mel anoma has been short, from 6 to 12 months. The immunotherapy approach has yielded some long-term responses and probably even a cure for a sm all proportion of patients. Understanding of basic mechanics of tumour destruction by cytokines and new agents coming into clinical use will undoubtedly further improve treatment results.