Immunotherapy that combines hormone and topical treatment offers new hope for melanoma and breast cancer
Source: Medical Xpress, January 2025
A research team at the Medical University of Vienna led by Maria Sibilia has investigated a new combination therapy against cancer. This therapy employs systemic administration of the tissue hormone interferon-I combined with local application of Imiquimod. This combination showed promising results in topically accessible tumors like melanoma and breast cancer models.
The therapy led to the death of tumor cells at the treated sites and simultaneously activated the adaptive immune system to fight even distant metastases. The results published in the journal Nature Cancer could improve the treatment of superficial tumors such as melanoma and breast cancer.
In recent years, immunotherapies have had significant success in the treatment and cure of a wide range of cancers. However, for some patients, these agents are still not sufficiently effective. As part of a preclinical study, Sibilia, Head of the Center for Cancer Research at the Medical University of Vienna, therefore investigated the effects of a combination immunotherapy consisting of systemic administration of the tissue hormone interferon (IFN)-I and local imiquimod therapy.