LOCAL INTERFERON THERAPY FOR MELANOMA PATIENTS

Background. Melanoma, once considered a rare form of cancer, is increa sing in incidence throughout the world. The prognosis of malignant mel anoma is inversely related to the depth of tumor invasion. Methods. Tw enty-seven patients were treated with r.IFN alpha 2c. Four patients we re treated with human natural leukocyte interferon (HNLI). Interferon was applied locally. Historical control groups were used for compariso n in the statistical analysis. The data were evaluated taking into acc ount the single risk factor Clark levels III and IV. In the control gr oup there were 10 patients with Clark levels III and IV; in the group of r.IFN apha 2c-treated patients there were 20 patients. The data wer e analyzed by using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox methods. Results. The per centage of survivals was higher in the interferon-treated groups with Clark levels III and IV, than in the control group, that is 60% compar ed to 25%, and 40% compared to 33%, respectively. The results of the s tatistical analysis after 60 months of follow-up are significantly bet ter in the interferon group (P = 0.0175). Conclusions. The control gro up was not selected at random. Therefore, on the basis of our results, one can say that the treatment of the melanoma patients, Clark levels III and IV, with the r.IFN alpha 2c is promising and that further inv estigation is justified.