Neoadjuvant interferon in the treatment of patients with melanoma regional lymph node metastasis

Summary. The question about effective treatment of melanoma lymph node metastasis remains opened. The surgery is a single radical method that can delay further progression of the disease at this stage. However, the long-term results surgical operations are unsatisfactory. In practical oncology adjuvant interferon is widely used to improve outcomes of regional lymph node dissections. This addition significantly influences on disease-free survival and has a little impact on overall survival. These results motivate conducting researches on the application of combined regimes of interferon therapy. In the present study two-component scheme of interferon therapy (neoadjuvant and adjuvant) is evaluated. The patients with resectable metastatic melanoma in regional lymph nodes were included in this study. Prior to treatment patients were randomized into two groups: the first of them (study group) obtained induction course of interferon α-2b therapy before operation and maintenance course after surgery; the second (control group) began treatment with regional lymph node dissection with following adjuvant interferon α-2b therapy (induction and maintenance course). The toxicity and parameters of peripheral blood leukograms were studied during the treatment in both groups. The benefit in 2-year overall and disease-free survival was not registered in the any of the application schemes.