Postoperative active specific immunotherapy with supportive measures in patients suffering from recurrent metastasized melanoma: case reports of six patients

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology Vol. 33; no. 2; p. 115
• Main Authors: Tallberg, T, Kalima, T, Halttunen, P, Tykkä, H, Mahlberg, K, Matous, B, Sundell, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-1986
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antigens, Neoplasm - administration & dosage; Antigens, Neoplasm - immunology; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Immunotherapy; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Male; Melanoma - diet therapy; Melanoma - surgery; Melanoma - therapy; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Skin Neoplasms - diet therapy; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Skin Neoplasms - therapy; Vaccination
• ISSN: 0022-4790
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.2930330213

The clinical results from postoperative active specific immunotherapy using autologous polymerized tumor material in six patients suffering from metastasized melanoma is reported. Correction of an alleged systemic deficiency leading to malignant cell transformation was attempted by administering certain essential trace elements, amino acids, vitamins, and a diet containing lipids, extracted from the mammalian central nervous system, after heating. Vaccinations against influenza were also given as a precaution against certain viral infections sometimes seen to precede melanoma recurrence. The clinical results with this postoperative adjuvant therapy are so encouraging that we suggest that sterile tumor tissue should be saved at operation and treated to produce insoluble particles as an option for postoperative treatment of patients suffering from metastasized melanoma. Prospective randomized studies are indicated.