Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma presents antigens capable of eliciting a host-immune response, and regression of primary melanoma seems to reflect these interactions of the tumor with the immune system. Due to those specific features, melanoma is well suited to immunological intervention with interferons (IFNs). The exact mechanism of activity of IFN and expecially IFN-α in melanoma is not known, but it may act by enhancing the expression of tumor antigens and antitumour activity against melanoma cells, as well as having both direct antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects [1]. The antiproliferative effects of IFN-α arise from its capacity of inhibition in the expression of cellular oncogenes and of DNA synthesis, while the immunomodulating effects of IFNs include enhancement of macrophage, cytotoxic T cell, and natural killer cell activity. Many studies suggest that IFN may manifest all these various types of anti-neoplastic function.
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Cascinelli, N., Belli, F. (1999). The Role of Interferon in the Adjuvant Treatment of Cutaneous Melanoma. In: Hortobagyi, G.N., Khayat, D. (eds) Progress in Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy. Progress in Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy, vol 3. Springer, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-2-8178-0918-2_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-2-8178-0918-2_12
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