Concurrent chemobiotherapy with cisplatin, dacarbazine, decrescendo interleukin-2 and interferon alpha2b in patients with metastatic melanoma

Oncol Rep. 2008 Dec;20(6):1533-8.

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate a concurrent chemobiotherapy (CBT) regimen consisting of cisplatin (CDDP), dacarbazine (DTIC), decrescendo interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon alpha2b (INF-alpha2b), in metastatic melanoma patients. A total of 60 patients with biopsy proven, metastatic melanoma were treated between October 2000 and November 2005 at the Oncology Institutes of RMC and CSMC. Patients received concurrent CBT for 5 days, consisting of CDDP, DTIC, decrescendo IL-2, and subcutaneous INF-alpha2b. GM-CSF was given subcutaneously on days 8 to 12 of each cycle, to the first 26 patients. Treatment was administered q21d for a total of six cycles or until severe toxicity or progression; 57 patients who received at least two cycles, followed for at least 24 months, were included in response analysis. The overall response rate (RR) reached 44% (28/57 patients); 14 patients had a complete response (CR, 25%); 11 (19%) reached a partial response. The median progression-free survival was 7 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 11.7 months. At a median follow-up of 29 months, 8 of 14 complete responders remain alive for more than two years, with no clinical evidence of disease. Median OS of patients with CR has not been reached; 17% of the courses were modified due to toxicity, and 20% of the patients were removed from the protocol due to toxicity or refusal to continue. The data from this study indicate that this protocol of concomitant CBT is feasible with a fraction of the patients achieving a durable CR.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage*
  • Dacarbazine / administration & dosage*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interleukin-2
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Dacarbazine
  • Cisplatin