Biomaterial Database

A phase I trial of recombinant interferon-alpha and alpha-difluoromethylornithine in metastatic melanoma. 1988

M K Croghan, and A Booth, and F L Meyskens

Department of Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson 85724.

Both interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) have shown modest activity as single-agent therapy in the treatment of malignant melanoma. Several investigators have demonstrated true synergism in vitro of the combination of DFMO and IFN-alpha against human tumor cells, including melanoma. We have investigated this combination in 17 patients with malignant melanoma in a Phase I trial. Patients were treated with 4 or 6 g/m2/day of oral DFMO in 3 divided doses for 11 days, followed by a 3-day rest period. Concomitant administration of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 or 9.0 x 10(6) U/m2 IFN-alpha intramuscularly was given. The maximum tolerated dose was 4 g/m2/day of DFMO plus 6 x 10(6) U/m2/day of IFN-alpha. Dose-limiting toxicity occurred in 3 of 3 patients receiving 9 x 10(6) U/m2 IFN-alpha and consisted of leukopenia, fatigue, and weight loss. Other toxicities were mild and included reversible hearing loss, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Three responses were seen, including one partial response (PR) of soft tissue metastases, one PR of lung and liver, and one complete response of liver metastases without clearance of carcinomatous meningitis. A Phase II trial has been initiated based on these encouraging results.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007370	Interferon Type I	Interferon secreted by leukocytes, fibroblasts, or lymphoblasts in response to viruses or interferon inducers other than mitogens, antigens, or allo-antigens. They include alpha- and beta-interferons (INTERFERON-ALPHA and INTERFERON-BETA).	Interferons Type I,Type I Interferon,Type I Interferons,Interferon, Type I,Interferons, Type I
D008297	Male		Males
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011994	Recombinant Proteins	Proteins prepared by recombinant DNA technology.	Biosynthetic Protein,Biosynthetic Proteins,DNA Recombinant Proteins,Recombinant Protein,Proteins, Biosynthetic,Proteins, Recombinant DNA,DNA Proteins, Recombinant,Protein, Biosynthetic,Protein, Recombinant,Proteins, DNA Recombinant,Proteins, Recombinant,Recombinant DNA Proteins,Recombinant Proteins, DNA
D003131	Combined Modality Therapy	The treatment of a disease or condition by several different means simultaneously or sequentially. Chemoimmunotherapy, RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY, chemoradiotherapy, cryochemotherapy, and SALVAGE THERAPY are seen most frequently, but their combinations with each other and surgery are also used.	Multimodal Treatment,Therapy, Combined Modality,Combined Modality Therapies,Modality Therapies, Combined,Modality Therapy, Combined,Multimodal Treatments,Therapies, Combined Modality,Treatment, Multimodal,Treatments, Multimodal
D004341	Drug Evaluation	Any process by which toxicity, metabolism, absorption, elimination, preferred route of administration, safe dosage range, etc., for a drug or group of drugs is determined through clinical assessment in humans or veterinary animals.	Evaluation Studies, Drug,Drug Evaluation Studies,Drug Evaluation Study,Drug Evaluations,Evaluation Study, Drug,Evaluation, Drug,Evaluations, Drug,Studies, Drug Evaluation,Study, Drug Evaluation
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults