PHASE-II STUDY OF INTERFERON ALFA-2A AND DACARBAZINE IN ADVANCED MELANOMA

In phase II, the tolerance and activity of dacarbazine and recombinant interferon alfa-2a (rIFN) was studied in 79 patients with metastatic melanoma. The regimen was well tolerated. Response rate was 25%, with 8% having a complete response. Response duration and survival after a follow-up of 39 months are reviewed. The mean durations of complete and partial responses are 13.7 months (range 1 to 31+) and 10 months (2 to 36+), respectively. Median time to progression is 3 months; median survival is 9 months. At present, 11% of treated patients are alive, thus addition of rIFN to dacarbazine may prolong response duration.