Treatment Information

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Melanoma treatment details. Chemotherapy.

University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Survival: monthsCountry:Australia
Toxiciy Grade:4City/State/Province:Sydney
Treatments:ChemotherapyHospital:University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Mar 2010

Description:

Patients:
This study involved patients with metastatic melanoma who had not received prior chemotherapy. Patients were separated into two separate treatment groups. Group A had 40 patients with a median age of 58 years and 55% male. Group B also had 40 patients, with a median age of 62.1 years and 70% male.

Treatment:
Patients in group A were treated with the chemotherapy agent dacarbazine and a placebo (i.e. sugar pill). Group B was given the chemotherapy agent dacarbazine and the biologic therapy agent bosentan, which inhibits a protein (endothelin receptor) to stop cancer cell growth.

Toxicities:
The maximum toxicity grade reported for both groups was grade 4. Group A included 1 case of grade 4 neutropenia and 3 cases of grade 3 dyspnea (shortness of breath). Group B had 1 case of grade 4 anemia, 1 case of grade 4 thrombocytopenia, and 5 cases of grade 3 neutropenia. Overall, the most common adverse effects were nausea and fatique.

Results:
The median progression-free survival for group A was 2.8 months and the median overall survival was 10.6 months. For group B, the median progression-free survival was 1.6 months and the median overall survival was 13.0 months.

Support:
This study was supported by Actelion Phamaceuticals, Ltd., the makers of bosentan (brand name Tracleer).

Correspondence: Dr. Richard F Kefford; email: [email protected]



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