title: An update on pegylated IFN-α2b for the adjuvant treatment of melanoma.
abstract: For patients with localized melanoma, excision of the primary tumor, including lymphadenectomy for nodal metastases, is standard treatment. However, patients with large primary tumors (stage IIB and IIC) or stage III melanoma have a relatively poor prognosis owing to the high risk of recurrence. High-dose IFN-α2b and pegylated IFN-α2b (PEG-IFN-α2b) are the only approved options for adjuvant therapy of stage III melanoma, but the lack of comparative data has led to considerable confusion in choosing between these options. In this article, current evidence regarding the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety and tolerability of adjuvant PEG-IFN-α2b in patients with melanoma is reviewed, with frequent reference to and comparisons with data using IFN-α2b. Particular focus is given to the pharmacokinetic differences between IFN-α2b and PEG-IFN-α2b and their implications for the treatment of high-risk patients. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that PEG-IFN-α2b therapy may provide clinically significant overall survival benefit for selected high-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: St Luke's Cancer Center, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA. agarwas@slhn.org
authors.forename: Sanjiv S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Agarwala
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b