Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion increases circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines

• Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 272 - 275
• Main Authors: QUINN, T. D, POLK, J. C, EDWARDS, M. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.07.1995; Springer-Verlag
• Subjects: Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; Combined Modality Therapy; Combined treatments (chemotherapy of immunotherapy associated with an other treatment); Cytokines - blood; Dactinomycin - administration & dosage; Drug Administration Schedule; Extremities; Humans; Hyperthermia, Induced; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - etiology; Infusion Pumps; Mechlorethamine - administration & dosage; Medical sciences; Melanoma - blood; Melanoma - therapy; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Short Communication; Antineoplastic agent; Regional treatment; Cytokine; Melanoma; Malignant tumor; Interleukin 6; Local administration; Chemotherapy; Perfusion; Limb; Advanced stage; Combined treatment; Tumor necrosis factor α; Induced hyperthermia; Interleukin 8
• ISSN: 0340-7004; 1432-0851
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01519902

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion is an established method of treatment for regionally advanced melanoma. Recent studies suggest that exogenously administered cytokines potentiate tumor response in patients with in-transit melanoma. We hypothesized that isolated limb perfusion induces an immunogenic response characterized by increased circulating levels of cytokines in the pump circuit, potentially contributing to the antitumor effect. We obtained blood samples from the perfusion circuit and systemic circulation at various intervals from patients undergoing isolated chemotherapeutic perfusion for melanoma. Samples were analyzed for serum cytokine profiles by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. When compared with baseline values, significant increases in serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) occurred within the perfusion circuit during isolated limb perfusion (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a corresponding increase in IL-8 within the systemic circulation at the 60-min interval (P < 0.05), suggesting some degree of leakage from the isolated circuit due to the extremely high levels of IL-8 in the perfusion circuit. A transient but insignificant decrease in circulating levels of neutrophils was also observed during the perfusion process, which may be attributed to margination. Increased levels of cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF occurred within the isolated circuit during hyperthermic limb perfusion and may contribute to tumor response seen in patients treated with isolated limb perfusion.