Effectiveness and toxicity of complex chemoimmunotherapy for treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma

Background and purpose: Metastatic melanoma is considered to be highly resistant to treatment. Authors of this work attempted to treat patients suffering from melanoma metastases using chemoimmunotherapy and evaluate the benefit and the toxicity of such treatment. The clinical effects and toxicity of treatment were estimated.
Material and methods: 12 patients aged from 23 to 61 years took part in the research. The period of observation lasted from 4 to 11 months. The schedule of treatment included CCNU, Dacarbasine, Cisplastine, Interferon-alfa, Interleukine-2 and Tamoxifen. The cycle of treatment was repeated every 21 days. 3 to 6 courses were assumed to be administered.
Results: In 3 patients the PD answer was determined, in 5 patients the ND answer, in 3 the PD answer, 1 person did not report after the first course. In 8 patients the third and fourth degree of hematological toxicity according to WHO was identified while in 4 patients the second degree was identified. In the majority of patients the treatment was stopped because of increasing toxicity. The average time of survival was 5 months.
Conclusion: Taking into consideration the toxicity of the therapy and small percentage of positive answers, according to this schedule chemoimmunotherapy connected with hormonotherapy is not justified in clinical practice.