Cisplatin, gemcitabine, and treosulfan in relapsed stage IV cutaneous malignant melanoma patients

To evaluate the efficacy of cisplatin, gemcitabine, and treosulfan (CGT) in 9 1 patients with pretreated relapsed AJCC stage IV cutaneous malignant melanoma. Patients in relapse after first-, second-, or third-line therapy received 40mgm-2 intravenous (i.v.) cisplatin, 1000mgm-2 i,v. gemcitabine, and 2500mgm-2 i.v. treosulfan on days I and 8. Cisplatin, gemcitabine, and treosulfan therapy was repeated every 5 weeks until progression of disease occurred. A maximum of I I CGT cycles (mean, two cycles) was administered per patient. Four patients (4%) showed a partial response; 15(17%) patients had stable disease; and 72 (79%) patients progressed upon first re-evaluation. Overall survival of all 9 patients was 6 months (2-year survival rate, 7%). Patients with partial remission or stable disease exhibited a median overall survival of I I months (2-year survival rate, 36%), while patients with disease progression upon first re-evaluation had a median overall survival of 5 months (2-year survival rate, 0%). Treatment with CGT was efficient in one-fifth of the pretreated relapsed stage IV melanoma patients achieving disease stabilisation or partial remission with prolonged but limited survival.