title: Topical immunotherapy with diphencyprone (DPCP) for in-transit and unresectable cutaneous melanoma lesions: an inaugural Canadian series.
abstract: Diphencycprone (DPCP) is an immune contact sensitizer applied to melanoma lesions. Early studies show favorable efficacy. We present the first North-American series of patients treated with DPCP.
  
  
  
  A single center retrospective study of patients with in-transit or unresectable melanoma lesions treated with DPCP from December 1,2014 to December 31,2015 was completed. Primary objectives were response rate and toxicity. Secondary objective was health-related quality of life assessment with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Melanoma (FACT-M) questionnaire.
  
  
  
  Fifteen consecutive patients were identified with median age of 78 (range 43-92). 73% of patients had prior treatment. Two patients (13%) had a complete response after 25 and 32 weeks, respectively. Four patients (27%) had a partial response with a mean treatment time of 30 weeks (range 6-51 weeks). Six (40%) had stable disease. Six patients stopped DPCP - three from systemic progression and three from toxicity. The most common toxicity was blisters; one patient had significant skin ulceration that resolved on stopping DPCP. Median FACT-M score was 142.95 (possible total 172). Mean overall follow-up time was 22.7 weeks.
  
  
  
  DPCP is a feasible option for in-transit and other melanoma cutaneous lesions ineligible/refractory to surgery and may delay need for systemic therapy.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Medical Oncology , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: b Division of Medical Oncology , Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre , Toronto , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.affiliation: c Division of Surgical Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Frances C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: d Division of Dermatology , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Wadid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Abadir
authors.affiliation: c Division of Surgical Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Nicole J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Look Hong
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002170:Canada; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; C029402:diphenylcyclopropenone
keywords: Diphencyprone; immunotherapy; in-transit metastasis; melanoma; toxicity