Temozolomide in combination with cisplatin in patients with metastatic melanoma: a phase II trial

The present study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with temozolomide plus cisplatin in patients with metastatic melanoma. Thirty patients with metastatic melanoma were enrolled. Treatment consisted of intravenous cisplatin (75 mg/m) on day 1 and oral temozolomide (200 mg/m) on days 1 to 5, every 4 weeks. Nine patients (30.0%) achieved an objective response, including two complete (6.7%) and seven partial (23.3%) responses. The median response duration was 161 days. The median progression-free and overall survival times were 72 and 120 days, respectively. Myelosuppression and emesis were the primary toxicities. In conclusion, temozolomide combined with cisplatin is an active and safe first-line chemotherapy regimen with acceptable and easily manageable toxicities in patients with metastatic melanoma.