Recombinant leukocyte a interferon (rIFN‐αA) in the treatment of disseminated malignant melanoma: Analysis of complete and long‐term responding patients

Abstract

Ninety‐six patients with disseminated malignant melanoma received thrice weekly intramuscular injections of leukocyte A recombinant interferon (rIFN‐αA, Roferon‐A, Hoffmann La Roche) at doses of 12 × 106 U/m2 or 50 × 106 U/m2 with or without cimetidine as an immunorestorative agent. Four patients, two with prior chemotherapy, demonstrated either a complete response (3 months, soft tissue metastasis) or exceptionally durable response durations (months) of 29+ (soft tissue; lung lesion), 31+ (soft tissue), and 35+ (soft tissue; liver lesions). None of these patients had particularly characteristic clinical parameters. As noted previously, using chemotherapy, a small proportion of patients with advanced malignant melanoma, despite prior therapy, may achieve prolonged objective regression with rIFN‐αA. Copyright © 1986 American Cancer Society