Decreased response rates by the combination of histamine and IL-2 in melphalan-based isolated limb perfusion

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2007 Apr;56(4):573-80. doi: 10.1007/s00262-006-0206-y. Epub 2006 Aug 1.

Abstract

Histamine (Hi) combined to melphalan in a rat experimental model of isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for lower limb soft tissue sarcoma, resulted in overall response rates (OR) of 66%. Likewise, ILP with interleukin-2 (IL-2) resulted in OR of 67%, when combined to melphalan, in the same experimental model. In systemic immunotherapy, the combination of IL-2 and Hi has been used for solid tumor treatment based on immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we used our well-established ILP experimental model to evaluate whether the synergistic effect between the two drugs seen in the systemic setting, could further improve response rates in a loco-regional setting. Histological evaluation was done directly and 24 h after ILP. Melphalan uptake by tumor and muscle were measured. Hi and IL-2 together, combined to melphalan in the ILP led to OR of only 28%. Histology of tumors demonstrated partial loss of Hi-induced hemorrhagic effect when IL-2 was present. Melphalan accumulation in the tumor when both Hi and IL-2 were added (3.1-fold) was very similar to accumulation with Hi only (2.8-fold), or IL-2 only (3.5-fold) combined to melphalan. In vitro there was no synergy between the drugs. In conclusion there was a negative synergistic effect between IL-2 and Hi in the regional setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Capillary Permeability / drug effects
  • Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Histamine / administration & dosage
  • Histamine Agents / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Male
  • Melphalan / administration & dosage
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred BN
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / metabolism
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / pathology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Histamine Agents
  • Interleukin-2
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Histamine
  • Melphalan