Adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk malignant melanoma. 1987

C P Karakousis, and L J Emrich

Fifty-nine patients with regional or hematogenous recurrence of malignant melanoma following resection of all the gross tumor were randomized to observation or chemotherapy. The chemotherapy consisted of BCNU 80 mg/M2 I.V. every 4 weeks, actinomycin-D 0.01 mg/kg and vincristine 1.0 mg/M2 I.V. every 2 weeks, for a total of 6 months. The chemotherapy protocol was tolerated well without appreciable objective side effects. At a median follow-up period of 11.5 months, the disease-free survival time for the chemotherapy treated group is significantly longer than for the control group (P = 0.01). The estimated median disease-free survival time is 4 months in the surgical control group and 9 months in the chemotherapy group. At present, the proportion of patients remaining disease-free is 43% for the surgical control and 55% for the chemotherapy treated group. More patients and follow-up are needed, but this preliminary report suggests that nitrosourea-based protocols need to be evaluated further as adjuvant treatment of malignant melanoma.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D009362 Neoplasm Metastasis The transfer of a neoplasm from one organ or part of the body to another remote from the primary site. Metastase,Metastasis,Metastases, Neoplasm,Metastasis, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Metastases,Metastases
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D011897 Random Allocation A process involving chance used in therapeutic trials or other research endeavor for allocating experimental subjects, human or animal, between treatment and control groups, or among treatment groups. It may also apply to experiments on inanimate objects. Randomization,Allocation, Random
D002330 Carmustine A cell-cycle phase nonspecific alkylating antineoplastic agent. It is used in the treatment of brain tumors and various other malignant neoplasms. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p462) This substance may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen according to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985). (From Merck Index, 11th ed) BCNU,1,3-Bis(2-Chloroethyl)-1-Nitrosourea,BiCNU,FIVB,N,N'-Bis(2-Chloroethyl)-N-Nitrosourea,Nitrumon
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
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
D003609 Dactinomycin A compound composed of a two CYCLIC PEPTIDES attached to a phenoxazine that is derived from STREPTOMYCES parvullus. It binds to DNA and inhibits RNA synthesis (transcription), with chain elongation more sensitive than initiation, termination, or release. As a result of impaired mRNA production, protein synthesis also declines after dactinomycin therapy. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1993, p2015) Actinomycin,Actinomycin D,Meractinomycin,Cosmegen,Cosmegen Lyovac,Lyovac-Cosmegen,Lyovac Cosmegen,Lyovac, Cosmegen,LyovacCosmegen
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000971 Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols The use of two or more chemicals simultaneously or sequentially in the drug therapy of neoplasms. The drugs need not be in the same dosage form. Anticancer Drug Combinations,Antineoplastic Agents, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocols,Antineoplastic Drug Combinations,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocols,Chemotherapy Protocols, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Regimens,Combined Antineoplastic Agents,Agent, Combined Antineoplastic,Agents, Combined Antineoplastic,Anticancer Drug Combination,Antineoplastic Agent, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocol,Antineoplastic Drug Combination,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocol,Chemotherapy Protocol, Antineoplastic,Chemotherapy Protocol, Cancer,Chemotherapy Protocols, Cancer,Combinations, Antineoplastic Drug,Combined Antineoplastic Agent,Drug Combination, Anticancer,Drug Combination, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Anticancer,Protocol, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocol, Cancer Chemotherapy,Protocols, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocols, Cancer Chemotherapy

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