title: Role of recombinant alpha-interferon in the treatment of advanced cutaneous malignant melanoma.
abstract: A total of 65 patients with advanced cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) have now been treated with interferon alpha-2b (Intron A) at a dose of 10 million IU/m2 administered subcutaneously thrice weekly. Fifty-one patients were evaluable for response, and 4 of these (7.8%) achieved complete remission; 2 of these 4 remain so at 37 + and 54 + months. Six additional patients achieved a partial remission. All responders had subcutaneous, lymph node and/or pulmonary metastases only. In all responders, therapy was continued for a total of 12 months. The vast majority of patients experienced side effects, largely flu-like symptoms, mild leukopenia and mild hepatocellular dysfunction. No evidence of cumulative toxicity was observed. Our experience indicates that interferon alpha-2b is active in patients with advanced cutaneous MM.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver.
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Mughal
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins