title: Sequential interferon-alpha2b, interleukin-2 and fotemustine for patients with metastatic melanoma.
abstract: The aim of this study was the evaluation of both the antitumour activity and toxicity of an immunochemotherapeutic regimen consisting of interferon-alpha2b and interleukin-2 in combination with fotemustine for patients with metastatic melanoma. To improve the penetration of fotemustine into the brain, it was given immediately after immunotherapy, when the blood-brain barrier is still disturbed. Of the 19 patients treated, three complete remissions (CRs) and one partial remission (PR) were induced, giving an objective response rate of 21% (95% confidence interval 6-46%). The durations of the CRs were 9, 19 and 44 months; the PR lasted for 59+ months. The overall survival times for the patients with CR were 21, 25 and 70+ months, and 59+ months for the PR. For nine patients (47%, 95% confidence interval 24-71%) disease was stabilized for a median period of 8 months (range 2-18 months), resulting in a median survival of 18 months (range 10-41+ months). No haematological toxicity of World Health Organization grade 3 or more was observed and in general toxicity was low. In summary, this immunochemotherapy regimen led to long-term survival in occasional patients, and about half of the patients achieved stable disease, with prolonged treatment- and progression-free survival compared with nonresponding patients. The occurrence of brain metastases, however, was not prevented, and in fact was the site of recurrence in those patients achieving a CR. Due to its low toxicity, this protocol can be applied at a community hospital level.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Dermatology, University of Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Terheyden
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kämpgen
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Bröcker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C054368:fotemustine