Development of a neoadjuvant treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma in a murine model for metastatic ocular melanoma

Background. Up to 50% of patients with uveal melanoma develop metastases but none of the existing treatments of the primary tumor has been able to reduce the metastatic rate. Probably, micrometatases have aleady developed before treatment of the uveal melanoma and dormant micrometastases can persist for years before they start growing. This long time-span provides the possibility to treat micrometastases. Methods. In order to develop an animal model for metastatic uveal melanoma, B16 melanoma cells were injected into the posterior ocular compartment of C57BL6 mice. These cells grew and metastasised to the lungs and liver. Immunological factors for the metastatic process and possible neoadjuvant treatments were investigated. Results. Natural killer cells (NK) are of significance in the rejection of metastases and HLA-I expression of uveal melanomas correlates with the melanoma cell type. Interferon-alpha-2b increases the activity of NK cells and reduces the metastatic rate in the animal model. Conclusion. Treatment with interferon-alpha-2b results in decreased metastases from intraocular melanoma in a murine model.