title: [Interferon for adjuvant therapy in melanoma; although approved, not indicated].
abstract: The Dutch melanoma group reconsidered their 1997 consensus statement on treatment of melanoma because new studies on adjuvant treatment with interferon(IFN)-alpha have been published. These have resulted in its registration for stage IIa; for stage IIb/III IFN-alpha was already registered. Overall survival should be the main endpoint of adjuvant clinical studies, especially when treatment is associated with toxicity. Since a benefit has not been unequivocally demonstrated in melanoma with Breslow thickness > 1.5 mm and/or regional lymph node metastases, there is no need to change the Dutch consensus statement. Drug registration authorities and medical professionals should cooperate more closely.
authors.affiliation: Afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht. g.groenewegen@azu.nl
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Groenewegen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Osanto
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: van der Rhee
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Punt
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D017277:Drug Approval; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009426:Netherlands; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins