Development of a neoadjuvant treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma in a murine model for metastatic ocular melanoma

Background. Up to 50% of patients with uveal melanoma develop metastases bu t none of the existing treatments of the primary tumor has been able to red uce the metastatic rate. Probably, micrometatases have aleady developed bef ore treatment of the uveal melanoma and dormant micrometastases can persist for years before they start growing. This long time-span provides the poss ibility 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. Immu nological factors for the metastatic process and possible neoadjuvant treat ments 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 mela noma cell type. Interferon-alpha-2b increases the activity of NK cells and reduces the metastatic rate in the animal model. Conclusion. Treatment with interferon-alpha-2b results in decreased metasta ses from intraocular melanoma in a murine model.