Adjuvant therapy for malignant melanoma.
Malignant melanoma is increasing in incidence worldwide, and many patients remain at a significant risk of recurrence following surgical resection. Over the past 30 years, interferon-alpha has been the only agent approved for adjuvant therapy of melanoma. This review summarizes the rationale for adjuvant therapy, and discusses the roles of interferon, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the adjuvant setting. New approaches and novel combinations that appear promising for the adjuvant therapy of malignant melanoma are also outlined.
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York 10032, USA.
John P
JP
Stoutenburg
Beth
B
Schrope
Howard L
HL
Kaufman
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor