Oncology
Clinical Study
Dacarbazine and Interferon Alpha for Stage IV Malignant MelanomaTamm I.a · Grimme H.b · Bergen E.b · Simon J.C.b · Schöpf E.b · Mertelsmann R.a · Lindemann A.a · Brennscheidt U.aaAbteilung Hämatologie und Onkologie, Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Universität Freiburg und bDermatologische Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Deutschland
Keywords: Melanoma, malignantDacarbazineInterferon |
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: June 30, 2009
Issue release date: 1997
Number of Print Pages: 5
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0030-2414 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0232 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/OCL
Abstract
Based on encouraging reports of improved response rates with the use of dacarbazine (DTIC) in combination with recombinant interferon alpha-2a (rIFN-α-2a) in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma, we conducted a phase II study to determine the efficacy and feasibility of this treatment regimen. 31 patients were treated with an induction dose of rIFN-α-2a at 15 MIU/ m2 intravenously (IV) daily for 5 days per week for 3 consecutive weeks followed by a continuous maintenance dose of 10 MIU/m2 subcutaneously (SQ) given 3 days per week; starting on day 22, in conjunction with rIFN-α-2a SQ, DTIC was started at a dose of 200 mg/m2 IV for 5 continuous days completing a 28-day cycle. Therapy was continued until progression was evidenced. Of the 29 evaluable patients, 7 (24.1%) achieved an objective response (complete plus partial remission) with the highest responses occurring in those patients assessed with pulmonary metastases. The median duration to treatment failure was 2.6 months, while the median survival was 6.9 months. Our data reveal that using rIFN-α-2a plus DTIC in combination does not yield better results than those achieved when using DTIC alone. However, 3 of the 7 responders experienced long-term survival ranging up to 42 months. Whether this benefit is achieved by the addition of rIFN-α-2a can only be answered by large randomized clinical trials. Conflicting results with some of the current literature are discussed.
© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: June 30, 2009
Issue release date: 1997
Number of Print Pages: 5
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0030-2414 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0232 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/OCL
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