A phase II study of metastatic melanoma treated with a combination of interferon alfa 2b, dacarbazine and nimustine

52 patients with metastatic melanoma have been treated with a combination of recombinant interferon-alfa-2b, dacarbazine and nimustine. The objective response rate was 23% with 9 complete responses (CR) and 3 partial responses (PR). The mean duration of the response was 18+ months for CR (6-31+ months) and 7 months for PR patients (4-10 months). The mean survivals were 24+ months (8-38 months) and 7 months (4-12 months), respectively. The mean duration of the response for patients with stable disease was 10+ months (2-48+ months) and the mean survival 17+ months (3-48+ months), while the patients with progressive disease died within 12 months (mean 4 months). The best responding sites were the lymph node, the lung and the subcutaneous metastases. Myelosuppression was the main adverse effect of the therapy. WHO grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in 27 patients leading to delay and reduced dosage of therapy; in 4 patients treatment was discontinued, 8 patients had no side effects. Combination therapy with interferon and dacarbazine and nimustine for metastatic melanoma offers no advantage over interferon and dacarbazine.