Treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma with intravenous fotemustine

The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and activity of intravenous fotemustine in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. We report on a series of 25 consecutive patients diagnosed with metastatic uveal melanoma. Fotemustine was administered intravenously as a first-line treatment to all patients. Thrombocytopenia and leukopenia (any grade) were observed in 60 and 52% of patients, respectively. Only two patients discontinued treatment because of toxicity (G3 thrombocytopenia), whereas all other patients were discontinued for progressive disease. Two partial responses were observed. Nine patients had stable disease (disease control rate=44%). The median survival duration was 13.9 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 60%. Intravenous fotemustine is well tolerated and could improve the outcome of metastatic uveal melanoma patients with or without liver involvement, although a randomized prospective trial is required to confirm these results.