title: Low-dose integrated chemoimmuno-hormonotherapy with cisplatin, subcutaneous interleukin-2, alpha-interferon and tamoxifen for advanced metastatic melanoma--a pilot study.
abstract: Recently, Khayat et al. reported that high-dose recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) i.v. may induce tumour regressions in metastatic melanoma patients through an association with cisplatin (CDDP) and alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN). Treatment-related toxicities are, however, important. Previous studies have demonstrated that rIL-2 toxicity may be reduced through a subcutaneous injection. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of low subcutaneous rIL-2 doses in a chemoimmuno-hormonotherapeutic combination, 36 metastatic melanoma patients were treated with CDDP, rIL-2, alpha-IFN and tamoxifen (TAM). The overall response rate was 47.2%: five patients had complete response (14%), 12 partial response (33%) and 13 stable disease (36%). Median response duration was 6.4 months (range: 2-29+). Median overall survival was 10 months (range: 3-36+). The CDDP/rIL-2/alpha-IFN/TAM regimen was effective both on soft tissue and visceral metastases. Toxicity was low and patient management did not require an intensive care unit. A statistically significant increase in both percentage and absolute values of lymphocytes, eosinophils, CD3+/CD4+, CD25+, CD16/56+ and HLA-DR+ cells was found in all patients after two treatment courses. This study shows that lower doses of subcutaneous rIL-2, as well as CDDP and alpha-IFN, associated with TAM, may have similar anticancer efficacy with respect to Khayat's schedule but lower toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Dermatologica dell'Università di Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bernengo
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Doveil
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quaglino
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Fierro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Savoia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Appino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colonna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013629:Tamoxifen