Cisplatin, gemcitabine and treosulfan is effective in chemotherapy-pretreated relapsed stage IV uveal melanoma patients

Purpose The efficacy of cisplatin, gemcitabine, and treosulfan (CGT) was evaluated in patients with chemotherapy pretreated relapsed AJCC stage IV uveal malignant melanoma. Methods Patients received i.v./intrahepatic cisplatin, i.v. gemcitabine, and i.v. treosulfan (CGT) on day 1 and 8 as first-line (n = 1), second-line (n = 9), third-line (n = 1) or fourth-line (n = 1) therapy. Cisplatin, gemcitabine, and treosulfan (CGT)-therapy was repeated every 5 weeks until progression of disease occurred. A maximum of six CGT-cycles (mean, 2 cycles) was administered per patient. Results No objective response was observed, six patients (50%) had stable disease and six (50%) patients progressed upon first reevaluation. Overall survival of all the 12 patients was 6 months. Patients with stable disease reached a median overall survival of 12 months, while patients with disease progression upon first reevaluation had a median overall survival of 4 months, only. Grade III/IV related hematotological side effects were experienced in six (leukopenia) and four (thrombocytopenia) patients. Conclusions Treatment with CGT may lead to disease stabilization and prolonged survival in a substantial proportion of progressive stage IV uveal melanoma patients, even following heavy chemotherapy treatment.