Combination Chemotherapy with Vinblastine, Bcnu and Cisplatin in Advanced Malignant Melanoma

Abstract

A combination chemotherapy including vinblastine (6 mg/m2 i.v. days 1–2), BCNU (100 mg/m5 i.v. day 3), and cisplatin (50 mg/m1 i.v. day 5) was given as salvage treatment in 46 consecutive, previously treated patients affected by metastatic malignant melanoma. Courses were planned every 4 weeks provided that a complete bone marrow recovery occurred, otherwise they were delayed for 1–2 additional weeks. Objective responses (3 CRs and 10 PRs) were observed in 13/46 (28%) patients; 12 cases had stable disease and 21 patients progressive disease during treatment. Median duration of response was 13 months (range, 5–18), and median survival was 11 months (range, 3–20) for all patients. Nausea and vomiting were the most distressing side effects, whereas a grade I leukopenia caused a delayed treatment in 90% of patients. In conclusion, the combination chemotherapy was moderately toxic and did not seem to give substantially better results than obtained with other reported regimens.