title: [Malignant melanoma in Japan: unique distribution and effect of DAV chemoimmunotherapy].
abstract: This study, based on a co-operative group project involving 4 major medical institutes in Japan presents the first survey of malignant melanoma (MM) patients (157 cases) where an attempt was made to systemically evaluate the distribution of primary MM, and the response to DAV-chemoimmunotherapy. The distribution of primary MM in Japan is unique in a sense that the MM involving the lower extremities occupied more than 50% of the total male and female cases. The commonest type and site of involvement is the acrolentiginous MM involving the plantar area (30%). The regimen of our group included the combination of DTIC, VCR and ACNU, a new nitrosourea with or without immunoadjuvants OK-432, PSK, or NK-421). By a historical comparison, the DAV-treated group showed a better prognosis in the survival rates of overall (Stages I-IV) and disseminated (Stages III-IV) patients than those of the non-DAV group. However, the effect of combined immunoadjuvants was not statistically significant, though OK-432 showed a significant inhibition of lymphopenia which always occurred during DAV therapy.
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015376:Nimustine; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010844:Picibanil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D011509:Proteoglycans; D015376:Nimustine; D010844:Picibanil; C010770:polysaccharide-K; D014750:Vincristine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D007930:Leucine; C012211:ubenimex