The addition of tamoxifen to dacarbazine and cisplatin in metastatic malignant melanoma. A phase II trial of the Southwest Oncology Group, (SWOG-8921).
Based on the reports of substantial improvement in the response rate w ith the addition of tamoxifen to a multiagent chemotherapy regimen for metastatic melanoma, Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)-8921 was initiated. A prior regimen (SWOG-8804) of dacarbazine (DTIC) 750 mg/m(2) i.v. day 1 and cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) day 1 repeated every 3 weeks produced a 13% response rate in patients with metastatic melanoma without brain metastasis. SWOG-8921 using identical chemotherapy and schedule added tamoxifen 10 mg twice daily. There were 55 eligible patients registered, median age 52, with 37 men and 18 women. Fifty (91%) patients had evidence of visceral metastasis at registration. There were 10 responders (2 complete and 8 partial responses) for an 18% response rate (95% CI, 9-31%). The response rate in women was 28% (95% CI, 10-53%; in men, 14% (95% CI, 5-29%). Tamoxifen has produced a small increase in the response rate when added to the present combination and schedule of chemotherapy. Further Phase III trials will be necessary to assess whether there is a statistical advantage to the use of tamoxifen when combined with chemotherapy and whether there are statistical differences between men and women.
Flaherty
L E
LE
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Liu
P Y
PY
Mitchell
M S
MS
Fletcher
W S
WS
Walker
M J
MJ
Goodwin
J W
JW
Stephens
R L
RL
Sondak
V K
VK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012737:Sex Factors; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D013629:Tamoxifen; D003606:Dacarbazine; D002945:Cisplatin