Sign in Subscribe
Drugs

Combination Chemotherapy Shows Promise in Treating Metastatic Melanoma

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Texas conducted a phase I trial of a novel combination of docetaxel, temozolomide, and cisplatin to treat metastatic melanoma. The study enrolled 23 patients with inoperable or recurrent metastatic melanoma, and the combination was found to be well-tolerated and showed promising results in treating the disease. Among the patients evaluated for response, 32% had partial responses, and 26% had stable disease. The researchers concluded that this combination could be a promising treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma.

Key Takeaways:

  • The phase I trial was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination of docetaxel, temozolomide, and cisplatin in patients with metastatic melanoma.
  • The study enrolled 23 patients, and 21 were evaluable for toxicity. Eighteen patients (78%) had stage IV-M1c disease.
  • The dose-limiting toxicities were myelosuppression and pulmonary embolism, and the MTD was 30 mg/m^2 docetaxel on days 1, 8, and 15 combined with fixed doses of temozolomide and cisplatin.
  • Among 19 patients evaluated for response, 6 (32%) had partial responses and 5 (26%) had stable disease. The combination was found to be well-tolerated and showed promising results in treating the disease.
  • The study included 14 chemo-naive patients, 6 (43%) of whom had a partial response, and 4 (29%) had stable disease.
  • Nine patients developed brain metastases by the time of the last follow-up evaluation, and the median time to brain metastases for all 19 evaluable patients has not been reached.

Specifically, the study mentions the University of Texas as the research institution conducting the trial, and K.B. Kim as the lead researcher. The combination of docetaxel, temozolomide, and cisplatin was found to be well-tolerated and shows promise in treating metastatic melanoma.

Statistics:

  • 23 patients were enrolled in the phase I trial, and 21 were evaluable for toxicity.
  • 18 patients (78%) had stage IV-M1c disease.
  • 6 (32%) of 19 patients evaluated for response had partial responses, and 5 (26%) had stable disease.
  • 14 chemo-naive patients were included in the study, 6 (43%) of whom had a partial response, and 4 (29%) had stable disease.
  • 9 patients developed brain metastases by the time of the last follow-up evaluation.

Sources:

  • Kim, K.B., et al. "Phase I study of the combination of docetaxel, temozolomide and cisplatin in patients with metastatic melanoma." Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, vol. 64, no. 1, 2009, pp. 161-167.
  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Unit 430, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA.
  • Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.

Read more