Update on PEG-interferon α-2b as adjuvant therapy in melanoma

Anticancer Res. 2012 Sep;32(9):3901-9.

Abstract

Based on the results of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) 18991 trial, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PEG-interferon α-2b (PEG-IFN) (Sylatron) as adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma. The EORTC 18991 trial was an open-label study of resectable stage III melanoma with 1,256 patients who were randomized to observation-alone or to treatment with PEG-IFN for up to 5 years. The median recurrence-free survival of the treatment groups was significantly longer, while overall survival, a secondary endpoint, was not significantly different between the two groups. This review, after a short summary of interferon α-2b trials, critically analyzes the EORTC18991 trial, as well as the subgroup results and future perspectives for this stage of disease.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • peginterferon alfa-2b