Non-specific immunotherapy inhibits angiogenesis - results of the monitoring of serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase 8 in patients with malignant melanoma receiving adjuvant high-dose interferon therapy
2017
Abstract
Interestingly, evidence is currently emerging that the activation of angiogenesis leads to immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive effects both at the local and systemic levels. These are very complex and interconnected processes.
In this study, our aim was to establish interferon alpha-2b as an anti-angiogenic agent and show the complexity of angiogenesis and immunomodulation through the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-5) in high-risk resected malignant melanoma before and after adjuvant therapy with high-dose interferon alpha-2b (HDI). Clinical outcomes of patients were also evaluated.