Immunotherapy of metastatic melanoma with interferon-alpha and interleukin-2: pattern of progression in responders and patients with stable disease with or without resection of residual lesions
Keilholz, U.; Scheibenbogen, C.; Stoelben, E.; Saeger, H.D.; Hunstein, W.
European Journal of Cancer 30a(7): 955-958
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0959-8049 PMID: 7946591 Document Number: 437721
This evaluation was performed in melanoma patients after successful immunotherapy to describe the pattern of relapse. 63 patients received interferon (IFN)-alpha and high-dose interleukin (IL)-2, resulting in three complete responses (CR), 13 partial responses (PR), three mixed responses (MR) and 17 stable diseases (SD). Median duration of response was 7 months (range 3-28) without surgery. Most relapses occurred at pre-existing sites. Duration of CR was 14-37+ months. In 11 patients, residual tumour lesions were resected. Interestingly, histology revealed almost complete tumour regression in 6 patients, including 2 of 4 with SD. 5 of these 11 patients have relapsed so far, 6 patients are still free of disease with a median of 17 months (range 8-34). Following relapse, 4 of 6 patients responded to retreatment with the identical IFN alpha/IL-2 protocol. The authors conclude that initial disease progression is mostly at previous sites of disease. Resection of residual lesions may offer a chance for extended disease-free survival similar to patients with CR to immunotherapy. Retreatment of relapsing patients is favourable.