title: Comparative evaluation of three combination regimens for advanced malignant melanoma: results of an international cooperative study.
abstract: The therapeutic results of a controlled study with three multiple-drug regimens (regimen A: DTIC, vincristine, BCNU; regimen B: DTIC, vincristine, hydroxyurea; and regimen C: DTIC, actinomycin D, BCNU) in a total of 274 evaluable patients with advanced malignant melanoma are reported. CRs were significantly more frequent (P less than 0.01) in regimens A (9.3%) and C (16.4%) compared with regimen B (1.1%). No significant difference in terms of CR plus PR was detected among the three regimens. In all regimens a higher number of CRs plus PRs was seen in patients with soft tissue metastases only, compared with those who had visceral involvement. In all three regimens patients achieving CR showed a longer duration of response and survival in comparison with patients achieving PR. The incidence of brain metastases was neither lowered nor delayed by the presence of BCNU in regimens A and C.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D002330:Carmustine