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Influence of pegylated interferon-α therapy on plasma levels of citrulline and arginine in melanoma patients

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Summary.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) on the plasma citrulline/arginine ratio, regarded as an index of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, in patients with high-risk melanoma. Forty patients were randomly assigned to either PEG-IFN-α treatment (n = 22) or to observation only (control group, n = 18). The treatment group received 6 µg PEG-IFN-α/kg once a week during 8 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 µg/kg/wk. Blood was collected at different time points, plasma concentrations of citrulline and arginine were measured and the ratio of citrulline/arginine was calculated. Patients treated with PEG-IFN-α showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of citrulline and in the citrulline/arginine ratio during the whole study period, both compared to baseline values and to the control group. The data suggest that therapy with PEG-IFN-α results in a marked decrease in the synthesis of NO in melanoma patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, The Netherlands

    D. Fekkes

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC – Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, The Netherlands

    D. Fekkes, M. Bannink & A. R. Van Gool

  3. Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC – Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, The Netherlands

    W. H. J. Kruit, S. Sleijfer & G. Stoter

  4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus MC, The Netherlands

    P. G. H. Mulder

  5. Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC – Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, The Netherlands

    A. M. M. Eggermont

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  1. D. Fekkes
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  2. M. Bannink
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  7. A. M. M. Eggermont
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  8. G. Stoter
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Fekkes, D., Bannink, M., Kruit, W. et al. Influence of pegylated interferon-α therapy on plasma levels of citrulline and arginine in melanoma patients. Amino Acids 32, 121–126 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0284-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0284-3

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