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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine
Published on: February 24, 2023
Keyhole limpet hemocyanin potentiates standard immunotherapy for melanoma
David W McFadden1, Dale R Riggs, Barbara J Jackson
1Department of Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9238, USA. dmcfadden@hsc.wvu.edu
Introduction:
Our hypothesis was that keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) would augment the effects of standard immunotherapies for melanoma including interferon-alpha (AIFN) and interleukin (IL)-2.
Methods:
The HTB68 melanoma cell line was treated with KLH, AIFN, and IL-2 as single and combined agents. Cell viability, apoptotic activity, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were all evaluated.
Results:
Cell growth was reduced with KLH (28%), AIFN (54%), and IL-2 (29%) (all P < .001). KLH and IL-2 combined exhibited a 47% inhibition of cell growth, whereas KLH and AIFN combined yielded a 67% reduction in cell growth (both P < .001). KLH and AIFN combined significantly increased both early (10%) and late (14%) apoptotic activity compared with controls (5% and 7%, P < .001).
Conclusions:
The additive effects exhibited by the combination of KLH with AIFN or IL-2 are encouraging and support combination therapy as an effective treatment for this aggressive disease.
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