A pilot study of oral idarubicin in metastatic melanoma

Seventeen patients with disseminated melanoma were treated with Idarubicin (IDA) at the dose of 15 mg/m2 daily for 3 consecutive days every 4 weeks by oral route. One complete remission and one partial remission were achieved (remission rate: 12%). The treatment was well tolerated. We conclude that oral IDA may be considered for a pilot trial in a regimen of combination therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma.