The emerging role of cytokines in the treatment of advanced melanoma

Cytokine-based treatment regimens have been evaluated for advanced melanoma in a number of phase I and phase II trials within the last decade. Treatment with interleukin-2 (IL-2) as a single agent has resulted in response rates of approximately 15%, if a high dose of IL-2 is administered. Combination of interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) and high dose IL-2 yields response rates ranging from 10 to 41%, Response rates exceeding 50% have been reported with chemoimmunotherapy, if the treatment regimens included at least the three agents IL-2, IFN alpha and cisplatin, Recent randomized trials have evaluated the impact of these drugs on the survival of patients with advanced melanoma. The current 'state of the art' is discussed in this review, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel