[Interferon therapy in malignant melanoma]

Recent clinical trials on the systemic application of various forms of interferon in metastatic malignant melanoma showed a moderate response rate of about 11% on an average. Intralesional application of alpha- and beta-interferon, however, resulted in partial or complete regression of the metastases in approx. 50% of the tumors. At present, various combination studies are being carried out in order to enhance the anti-tumor effects of interferon and thus establish a potential therapeutic method in dermato-oncology. In this respect, the combination of alpha-interferon with classic cytostatic drugs (dacarbazine and vindesine) is especially encouraging.