title: Phase 2 trial of the continuous IV administration of interferon-beta in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interferons have been reported to significantly contribute to tumor suppression via both induction of p53 gene expression and inhibition of angiogenesis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The assessment of treatment toxicity and antitumoral effectiveness of continuous IV administration of interferon-beta based on an overall evaluation of laboratory, radiographic, and clinical parameters observed during the trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors treated patients with advanced malignant melanoma with continuous IV infusions of 1 x 10(6) IU interferon-beta daily ( approximately 0.6 x 10(6) IU interferon-beta/m2 daily).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continuous IV administration of interferon-beta had no significant effect on overall patient outcome. Interferon side effects were not a reason for treatment discontinuation in any of the patients observed during this trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous IV interferon-beta had no significant effect on overall patient outcome in a group of patients with advanced malignant melanoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the continuous IV administration of interferon-beta in patients with advanced malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: University of Mainz, Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Mainz, Germany. voelterm@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voelter-Mahlknecht
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mahlknecht
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Letzel
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fierlbeck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016899:Interferon-beta