Combination chemotherapy with ifosfamide and cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) in advanced malignant melanoma

Twenty-five patients with measurable lesions of advanced malignant melanoma received a combined chemotherapy containing cis-dichlordiammineplatinum (II) (cisplatin) 30 mg daily at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and ifosfamide 45 mg/kg at days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Most of the patients had been previously treated with DTIC or DTIC-containing combinations. An objective response was observed in 10 patients including three complete and seven partial remissions. Medium survival was 3 months for nonresponders and 6 months for responders. Nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy could be reduced effectively be the use of levomepromacine (Neurocil). Hematologic toxicity was considerable in extensively pretreated patients and made it necessary to postpone subsequent courses in two cases.