Treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma with recombinant interferon alfa-2b

Summary

Twenty-six patients with histologically proven metastatic malignant melanoma were included in a phase II trial of interferon alfa-2b (Intron A; Schering-Plough). Patients were given 10 × 10⁶ IU/m² of interferon alfa-2b subcutaneously three times a week until major intolerance or progression of disease.

General signs of intolerance were seen in all patients; hematological toxicity with leukopenia (below 1,800/mm³) and/or thrombocytopenia (below 600/mm³) was seen in six patients and therapy was interrupted in one patient. Mild liver toxicity was seen in most patients after two weeks of treatment. These manifestations disappeared 1–2 weeks after treatment was discontinued. Twenty-four patients were evaluable for response. There were two complete responses; one skin and one lymph node going into remission for 12 and 12.5 months respectively. A partial response was observed in five cases lasting 1, 1.8, 2, 3 and 5 months respectively.

These results indicate a potential role for interferon alfa-2b in treating patients with metastatic malignant melanoma, however, further trials are required to determine the optimum dose and schedule of administration and use of interferon alfa-2b in combination with cytotoxic drugs.