Phase II trial of Paclitaxel and Dacarbazine with filgrastim administration in advanced malignant melanoma

A Phase II trial was conducted in patients with advanced malignant melanoma with intravenous Paclitaxel and Dacarbazine (DTIC). The initial starting dose for Paclitaxel was 135 mg/m2 followed by DTIC 800 mg/m2. Due to the lack of myelosuppression and other toxicities, the starting dose for Paclitaxel was escalated to 250 mg/m2 and the dose for DTIC escalated to 1000 mg/m2. Twenty-five patients were enrolled in this study. Among the 25 patients assessable for response, three patients had a partial response with a response rate of 12% (CI 3-31%) and one patient had stable disease. Three additional patients showed evidence of anti-tumor activity with minor responses. For patients who had no prior chemotherapy or biochemotherapy, the response rate was 20%. Toxicity was generally tolerable and included mainly neurotoxicity from Paclitaxel. At the doses and schedule used, the combination of Paclitaxel and DTIC did not appear to increase the response rate compared to each agent used singly.