title: Phase-II study of recombinant alpha 2-interferon in advanced malignant melanoma.
abstract: Fifteen patients with metastatic malignant melanoma, including 10 who had not previously received systemic therapy, were treated with recombinant alpha2-interferon (IFN-alpha 2) in a dose of 20 million IU/m2 by 30-min i.v. infusion daily for 5 days each 14 days. Evaluable metastatic sites included lung, subcutaneous tissue, liver, nodes, adrenals, and bone. Subjective toxicity was generally mild to moderate, with fever (38.2-40.2 degrees C), occasional rigors, fatigue, myalgia, headache, and nausea. Objective toxicity included transient neutropenia and elevation of hepatic enzymes, particularly gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. In 1 of the 10 patients receiving more than one cycle, IFN dosage was reduced because of toxicity, but later reescalated. All patients were evaluated for response. No overall partial or complete responses were observed, but two site responses (lung and subcutaneous tissue) were seen. Median survival from start of IFN treatment was 19 weeks. High doses of IFN were reasonably well tolerated in this study, but the results suggest little activity against malignant melanoma.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rallings
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hersey
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase