Treatment with coumarin to prevent or delay recurrence of malignant melanoma.
Both coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) and warfarin (4-hydroxycoumarin) have been shown to prevent the recurrence of malignant melanoma. Their action is macrophage-dependent and the dosage is critical. In 1984 a multicentre, prospective, randomised, double-blind trial of coumarin, given as a daily 50-mg dose for 2 years after surgery in patients with high-risk melanoma, was started. the patients had lesions greater than 1.70 mm thick and TNM stage IB or stage II disease. To date there are 4 recurrences in the coumarin-treated group of 13 patients, and 10 recurrences in the placebo-treated group of 14 patients (P < 0.01). There were no toxic effects.
Thornes
R D
RD
Irish Melanoma Group, Colman K. Byrnes Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Daly
L
L
Lynch
G
G
Breslin
B
B
Browne
H
H
Browne
H Y
HY
Corrigan
T
T
Daly
P
P
Edwards
G
G
Gaffney
E
E
D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003374:Coumarins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003374:Coumarins; C030123:coumarin