Abstract |
The purpose of this randomized trial was to evaluate the efficacy of combination chemoimmunotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone. A total of 124 patients were randomized to receive intravenous cisplatin (35 mg m(-2), days 1-3), carmustine (150 mg m(-2), day 1, cycles 1 and 3 only), dacarbacine (220 mg m(-2), days 1-3) and oral tamoxifen (20 mg m(-2), daily) in combination with (n=64) or without (n=60) sequential subcutaneous IL-2 and IFN-alpha. In those patients who received sequential immunotherapy, each cycle of chemotherapy was followed by outpatient s.c. IL-2 (10 x 10(6) IU m(-2), days 3-5, week 4; 5 x 10(6) IU m(-2), days 1, 3, 5, week 5) and s.c. IFN-alpha (5 x 10(6) IU m(-2), day 1, week 4; days 1, 3, 5, week 5). The overall response rate of patients treated with the combination of chemotherapy and IL-2/IFN-alpha was 34.3% with seven complete responses (10.9%) and 15 partial responses (23.4%). In patients treated with chemotherapy, only, the overall response rate was 29.9% with eight complete responses (13.3%) and 10 partial responses (16.6%). There was no significant difference in median progression free survival (0 months vs 4 months) and in median overall survival (12 months vs 13 months) for combined chemoimmunotherapy and for chemotherapy, respectively.
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Authors | J Atzpodien, K Neuber, D Kamanabrou, M Fluck, E B Bröcker, C Neumann, T M Rünger, G Schuler, P von den Driesch, I Müller, E Paul, T Patzelt, M Reitz |
Journal | British journal of cancer
(Br J Cancer)
Vol. 86
Issue 2
Pg. 179-84
(Jan 21 2002)
ISSN: 0007-0920 [Print] England |
PMID | 11870502
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright 2002 The Cancer Research Campaign |
Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Interferon-alpha
- Interleukin-2
- Tamoxifen
- Dacarbazine
- Cisplatin
- Carmustine
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adult
- Aged
- Antineoplastic Agents
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
(therapeutic use)
- Carmustine
(administration & dosage)
- Cisplatin
(administration & dosage)
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Dacarbazine
(administration & dosage)
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Humans
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Injections, Subcutaneous
- Interferon-alpha
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Interleukin-2
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Male
- Melanoma
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Skin Neoplasms
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Tamoxifen
(administration & dosage)
- Treatment Outcome
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