Plasma homocysteine and immune activation in patients with malignant melanoma undergoing treatment with IFN-alpha.
Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research. 2004-05-01; 24(5): 311-317
DOI: 10.1089/107999004323065101
Read on PubMed
1. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2004 May;24(5):311-7.
Plasma homocysteine and immune activation in patients with malignant melanoma
undergoing treatment with IFN-alpha.
Frick B(1), Capuron L, Schröcksnadel K, Musselman DL, Lawson DH, Nemeroff CB,
Miller AH, Fuchs D.
Author information:
(1)Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck,
Fritz Pregl Strasse 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Immune activation and cell proliferation may contribute to the development of
increased homocysteine concentrations in patients with malignant diseases. In
this study, we investigated the effect of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on plasma
homocysteine concentrations in patients being treated for malignant melanoma. In
parallel, neopterin formation and tryptophan degradation were monitored to assess
the capacity of IFN-alpha to activate macrophages. Plasma concentrations of
homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B(12) were determined in 15 patients with
malignant melanoma during 12 weeks of high-dose IFN-alpha therapy. Concurrently,
concentrations of neopterin, tryptophan, and kynurenine were measured, and the
kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (kyn/trp) was calculated. Homocysteine and folate
concentrations during treatment with IFN-alpha did not differ from baseline. In
contrast, significant increases in neopterin formation and tryptophan degradation
were apparent during IFN-alpha therapy. Plasma concentrations of vitamin B(12)
and cysteine also increased. These results indicate that IFN-alpha directly
activates macrophages to release neopterin and to degrade tryptophan, but
obviously treatment with INF-alpha did not affect homocysteine metabolism.
DOI: 10.1089/107999004323065101
PMID: 15153315 [Indexed for MEDLINE]