Abstract
The antitumor effect of human interferon (INF-β) and mouse interferon on the growth of human melanoma cells (SK-14) transplanted in nude mice was examined. The cell growth in nude mice was supressed by a daily administration of IFN-β, depending on the dosage and administration route. The most marked effect was obtained by intra-tumoral injection of INF-β, and intra peritonial injection of IFN-β was unsuccessful. A lesser therapeuetic effect was achieved by intratumoral injection of mouse interferon, whitch led us to speculate that the antitumor effect of IFN-β might be explained by its anticellar activity rather than its immunomodulating effect. Pharmacokinetic studies of INF-β in nude mice indicated that a relatively high interferon titer in the tumor mass and lymph node was detected for a long time after intratumoral injection. On the other hand, the plasma, lung and liver levels of interferon were almost undetectable. Inhibition of nodal metastasis was also suggested. Clinical observations of fourteen cases of cutaneous and mucosal primary melanoma of the head and neck encountered during the past twenty years were reviewed.Two patients who underwent radical excision of a wide area survived for over 10 years. However, the specific anatomical structure of the head and neck make such treatment difficult. Three patients who underwent palliative reducing operations with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy died within three years. Seven cases were treated with interferon. In these cases, a complete response was observed in five cases treated with intrtumoral injection of interferon, and a partial response was observed in one patient who underwent intraarterial administration of interferon. The role of interferon in the treatment of melanoma in the head and neck are worthy of special mention.
