title: Response of subcutaneous and cutaneous metastases of malignant melanoma to combined cytostatic plus interferon therapy.
abstract: A chemotherapy regimen consisting of dacarbazine (DTIC), vincristine, bleomycin and lomustine (CCNU) was combined with natural leucocyte interferon (IFN) in the treatment of 37 patients with cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases of malignant melanoma. Twenty-five also had concomitant lymph node, visceral, bone or brain metastases. Fifteen patients (41%) experienced complete response (CR) and 10 (27%) partial response (PR) of the superficial lesions. In addition, three patients were rendered surgically tumour-free after PR or disease stabilization during drug therapy. The median overall duration of response was 10.2 months (range 1-53 months). In disseminated disease, the combined therapy produced favourable results, particularly with regard to superficial lesions. It is also possible that this therapy may retard the growth of aggressive subcutaneous metastases in patients who have previously had multiple surgical procedures in an attempt to stabilize their disease. In a small proportion of patients, the long-term complete remission with the drug therapy alone, or in combination with surgery, suggests that this regimen might have been curative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hahka-Kemppinen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muhonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Virolainen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jekunen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asko-Seljavaara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pyrhönen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D008130:Lomustine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D007372:Interferons