[The effect of interferon alfa-2b therapy on titers of isohemagglutinins and anti-Forssman antibodies in patients with malignant melanoma].

Abstract

According to experimental data, administration of interferon in mice before contact with antigen reduced antibody response, while its presence after antigen load enhanced them. The aim of this study was to detect possible immunomodulatory effects of unpurified human alpha-interferon on izohemagglutinin (IZO), and anti-Forssman antibody (AFA) serum levels during a treatment in patients with malignant melanoma. Fifty-two patients treated with the same chemotherapy regimen (ADM-VCR-CPM-DTIC-PCB) entered the study; 30 received INF 1.000.000 U/24 h x 10 during each cycle, intercycle interval 4 weeks. Twenty-two did not receive interferon. Initial IZO titers were 1/4-1/256, median 1/64, and for AFA 0-1/14, median 1/7. Following 4 cycles, values for IZO titers were: in the IFN group 1/32-1/262.144, median 1/128; in the non-IFN group range 1/8-1/512, median 1/32. The values for AFA titers were: in the INF group 0-1/442, median between 1/28 and 1/56; in control group 0-1/112, median 1/14. The difference between both median values for the INF group and initial median values was statistically significant. Initial elevation of titers was reversed during a few cycles with both A and B substances and the Forssman antigen, immunisation of humans is permanent. It would be of interest to ascertain effects of interferons on antibody response to others antigens, especially bacterial and viral, during aggressive chemotherapy. In any case, both experimentally observed phenomena seem to occur in vivo during interferon treatment of metastatic melanoma.

• Authors: V Kovciń, S Jelić, M Pajević, I Spuzić
• Journal: Glas. Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti. Odeljenje medicinskih nauka (Glas Srp Akad Nauka Med) Issue 44 Pg. 109-16 ( 1994) ISSN: 0371-4039 [Print] Serbia
• Vernacular Title: Uticaj lecenja alfa-2b interferonom na titar izohemaglutinina i anti-Forssman antitela u bolesnika sa malignim melanomom.
• PMID: 7590407 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Hemagglutinins
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins
• Forssman Antigen

Topics

• Antibodies (analysis)
• Forssman Antigen (immunology)
• Hemagglutinins (analysis)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Melanoma (blood, immunology, secondary, therapy)
• Recombinant Proteins