Adjuvant pegylated interferon α-2b therapy for melanoma

Schilling,Bastian; Vaubel,Julia; Schadendorf,Dirk

doi:10.3892/ol_00000042

March-April 2010 Volume 1 Issue 2

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March-April 2010 Volume 1 Issue 2

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Article Open Access

Adjuvant pegylated interferon α-2b therapy for melanoma

Authors:
- Bastian Schilling
- Julia Vaubel
- Dirk Schadendorf
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Affiliations: Universitätsklinikum Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany
Pages: 237-241
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Published online on: March 1, 2010

https://doi.org/10.3892/ol_00000042
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Abstract

Although adjuvant high-dose interferon α-2b therapy significantly improves recurrence-free survival vs. observation in high-risk resected melanoma, the overall survival benefit is presently unclear. Pegylation of interferon α-2b (peginterferon α-2b) allows for a reduction in the dosing frequency with increased drug exposure. Adjuvant peginterferon α-2b therapy has also been shown to provide a significant, sustained improvement in recurrence-free survival compared with observation in patients with stage III melanoma. We report on the use of adjuvant peginterferon α-2b (3 µg/kg/week) in clinical practice in a series of 8 patients treated at the Universitätsklinikum Essen in Germany following complete resection of primary melanoma at intermediate- and high-risk of recurrence (stage II-III). Treatment duration ranged from 2 to 29 months, with 4 patients receiving long-term therapy (≥24 months). Following treatment, 5 patients (stage II) remained disease-free at 33, 33, 37, 39 and 43 months from the time of diagnosis. In 2 patients, peginterferon α-2b was terminated 4 and 9 months after treatment initiation due to disease progression. Once-weekly subcutaneous administration of peginterferon α-2b was convenient in all patients. In 3 patients experiencing adverse events, dose reductions led to a resolution of symptoms and enabled treatment to continue long-term. Three further patients discontinued therapy due to adverse events at 2, 8 and 27 months of therapy (persistent elevation of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, liver transaminase elevation and urosepsis); dose modifications were not applicable in these patients. Thus, long-term adjuvant peginterferon α-2b therapy was feasible in the clinical practice setting and was generally well tolerated in these intermediate- and high-risk melanoma patients.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Adjuvant pegylated interferon α-2b therapy for melanoma

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