Treatment of advanced malignant melanoma with interferon alpha and etretinate

The combination of recombinant human interferon alpha A 9 MU daily intramuscularly and etretinate 50 mg daily orally was given to 25 patients with progressive advanced, metastatic melanoma. The treatment was well tolerated. Partial responses were seen in three (12%) patients lasting from 2 to 8 months. A further partial response was seen in one of three patients when they were given vindesine and DTIC whilst they continued receiving interferon and etretinate.