Chemoimmunotherapy for metastatic malignant melanoma using vincristine (NSC-67574), DTIC (NSC-45388) and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin

Controlled Study with Imidazole Carboxamide (DTIC), DTIC + Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and DTIC + Corynebacterium Parvum in Advanced Malignant Melanoma

From 1976 to 1980, 377 randomized patients were entered in a multicentric study supported by the W.H.O. Melanoma Group. In this report, only 196 patients are considered for analysis: 31.6 % were excluded because of inadequate treatment or protocol violations. Three arms of treatment were compared: DTIC alone, DTIC plus bacillus Calmette-Guérin, and DTIC plus Corynebacterium parvum. No significant difference in terms of complete response plus partial response was detected among the three regimens. Twenty-five patients (12.7 %) responded with complete tumor regression, and 18 (9.3 %) with partial regression. Complete plus partial responses were thus achieved in 22 % of evaluable patients. Responders had a longer median survival than nonresponders. Overall median survival was 6 months. Brain metastases were detected in 17 % of the patients. Median time from the beginning of treatment to the diagnosis of CNS involvement was 4 months. There is no evidence that active aspecific immunotherapy added to DTIC increases the response rate in patients with disseminated disease. The toxic effects were acceptable, and no drug-related death was observed.

High-dose, double alkylating agent chemotherapy with DTIC, melphalan, or ifosfamide and marrow rescue for metastatic malignant melanoma

Thirty-seven patients with widely metastatic malignant melanoma were treated with one of three chemotherapy regimens, incorporating high-dose dacarbazine (DTIC). The chemotherapy was followed by autologous bone marrow rescue which was harvested under local anesthesia in 25 of the patients. The three regimens comprised a 24-hour infusion of DTIC (Regimen A for patients less than 45 years of age, 4.3 to 10.5 g/m2; B, if greater than 45 years of age 2.7 to 4.0 g/m2; and later C, if greater than 45 years of age 7.0 to 8.0 g/m2). The second alkylating agent was given at +8 and +16 hours from the start of DTIC. The total doses of the melphalan ranged from 60 to 130 mg/m2 for Regimen A and 30 to 40 mg/m2 for Regimen B. Ifosfamide 5.0 to 8.0 g/m2 was given instead of melphalan in Regimen C. The response rates for the regimens were 81% (25% CR) for A, 27% (11% CR) for B, and 20% (with no complete responders) for Regimen C. There was no statistically significant difference between the three regimens for survival with a median value of 6 months. One of the 16 patients treated with the very high dose Regimen A died of septicemia and three of ten patients in Regimen C died within the first 2 weeks of treatment. There was statistically significant greater myelosuppression, stomatitis, and diarrhea in the very high dosage DTIC and melphalan (Regimen A) compared with the other two regimens. No significant difference in response rate or toxicity was observed for the different dosages escalated within each of the three regimens. Although hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity were very severe, no unusual side effects were noted except for one episode of severe acute renal failure in the high-dose DTIC and melphalan, Regimen A. Responses occurred mainly in nonvisceral, nodal, and cutaneous sites and occasionally in pulmonary metastases. The Karnofsky performance improved 4 to 6 months after treatment notably with the high-dose DTIC and melphalan therapy. No survival benefit for the combination chemotherapy despite the high dosages was detected and such an approach currently cannot be recommended.

Corynebacterium parvum followed by chemotherapy (actinomycin D and DTIC) compared with chemotherapy alone for metastatic malignant melanoma

Seventy-nine patients with Stage III widely metastatic melanoma were prospectively randomised to a 'no treatment' control group who received on tumour progression DTIC (250 mg/m2 i.v. daily X 5) and Actinomycin D 1.5 mg/m2 on Day 1. A total of six courses at 3-week intervals was given. Chemotherapy was only given on progression of disease. The other group received initially Corynebacterium parvum (2 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for a maximum of eight courses and then the same chemotherapy on evidence of progressive disease. Minimum follow up time is 3 yr. The chemotherapy response rate (control 37%, C. parvum 24%) was not statistically different nor was the effect of chemotherapy on the site of individual metastases. Radiotherapy responses for irradiated soft tissue disease again were not significantly different, between the two patient groups. No significant differences in survival (control group median, 4 months, range 1-46; C. parvum median 3 months range 1-35) were observed and only one patient is alive at 35 months. The pattern of relapse was also similar in both groups. Reduction in haematological toxicity consequent on chemotherapy was not observed in the C. parvum-treated patients. No additional benefit was observed when C. parvum was followed by DTIC and Actinomycin D chemotherapy compared with the results from the chemotherapy given alone, although C. parvum on this schedule had minimal toxicity.