Regression of Melanoma Nodules in a Patient Treated With Ranitidine

Human malignant melanoma may regress spontaneously or with immunotherapy, such as Calmette-Guerin bacillus, interferon alfa, interleukin-2, and interleukin-2 plus lymphokine-activated killer cells. Histamine type 2 receptor antagonists can modulate immune function by inhibiting suppressor T-cell induction and activity, and melanoma regressions have been reported after the use of cimetidine with coumarin or interferon alfa. This article describes the complete regression of melanoma nodules in a patient treated with ranitidine hydrochloride, another histamine type 2—receptor antagonist. Ranitidine and cimetidine should be considered to be possibly active immunotherapeutic agents in the design and evaluation of clinical trials.