PURPOSE: Temozolomide (TMZ) has shown efficacy in metastatic melanoma equal to that of dacarbazine (DTIC), the standard chemotherapeutic agent for melanoma. As the combination with interferon-alfa (IFN-alpha) appears superior to single-agent DTIC regarding response rates, the purpose of this study was to compare TMZ alone and TMZ plus IFN-alpha in terms of objective response (OR), overall survival, and safety in a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred ninety-four patients with untreated stage IV metastatic melanoma (American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system) were randomly assigned to receive either oral TMZ alone (200 mg/m2/day; days 1 through 5 every 28 days) or in combination with subcutaneous IFN-alpha (5 MU/m2; days 1, 3, and 5 every week). RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-two patients were eligible for an intent-to-treat analysis, 271 patients were treated per protocol. In the TMZ + IFN-alpha arm, 33 (24.1%) of 137 patients responded to therapy (partial or complete remission) whereas in the monotherapy arm, in 18 (13.4%) of 134 patients, a response was evident. Thus, the response rate was significantly higher in the combination arm (P = .036). Median survival time was 8.4 months for patients treated with TMZ (95% CI, 7.07 to 9.27) and 9.7 months for those treated with the combination (95% CI, 8.26 to 11.18; P = .16). Dose modifications and interval prolongations due to hematologic toxicity were significantly more frequent in the TMZ + IFN-alpha arm (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In metastatic melanoma treatment with TMZ + IFN-alpha leads to a significantly superior OR rate compared to treatment with TMZ alone, which did not translate into prolonged survival in our study population.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Wound conditioning of a deep tissue defect including exposed bone after tumour excision using PROMOGRAN* Matrix, a protease-modulating matrix.

A case study reporting on the successful treatment of a patient affected by a basal cell carcinoma is submitted. Because the carcinoma had infiltrated deeply, a wide excision was necessary, including the removal of bone tissue. The deep tissue defect was treated with PROMOGRAN* Matrix, a protease-modulating matrix, to promote granulation and ensure that the skin graft do survive and heal successfully. In this case study, a rapid development of granulation tissue on the exposed surface of the bone was observed. The benefits of the dressing enabled a successful split-thickness skin grafting to be carried out which gave very good aesthetic and functional results.

Bandages, Hydrocolloid↗

PubMed2004

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans--an update.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare fibroblastic skin tumor of intermediate malignancy. Its pathogenesis has not yet been fully clarified. Recent basic genetic research has shown chromosomal translocations, generally termed "ring chromosomes", in DFSP. These arise from a fusion of chromosome regions 17q22 and 22q13, the gene loci which code the alpha chain of type I collagen. The diagnosis is made histologically. Differentiation from atypical dermatofibroma and dermatomyofibroma, as well as from malignant fibrous histiocytoma, whose prognosis is usually much less favorable, can be improved by immunostaining for CD 34 and Factor XIIIa. The extent of the tumors can be estimated by CT and more precisely with MRI. All these techniques fail to detect the fine tumor fascicles extending into the adjacent connective tissue and fat. Surgery is the therapy of choice for DFSP. The locally infiltrative growth pattern features clinically inapparent extensions which often extend for long distances in a horizontal direction. These tumor extensions are best detected by uninterrupted histological check of all margins, including the base (3-D-histology), with paraffin sections. Re-excision of tumor-positive areas until tumor-free margins are obtained ("histographic surgery") insures a high cure rate (97%) while preserving normal tissue.

Dermatofibrosarcoma↗

PubMed2003

Intratumoral cisplatin/adrenaline injectable gel for the treatment of patients with cutaneous and soft tissue metastases of malignant melanoma.

Local therapies have been highly effective in the treatment of melanoma. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a novel intralesional chemotherapy - cisplatin/adrenaline injectable gel - for the treatment of refractory or recurrent cutaneous and soft tissue melanoma metastases. The gel is injected directly into the lesion and delivers high concentrations of cisplatin at the injection site, where it is retained for extended periods, with little systemic exposure. A total of 28 patients with refractory or recurrent melanoma were enrolled in this open-label, multicentre study. Of these, 25 patients with 244 lesions were evaluable for efficacy. Lesions were injected with 0.5 ml (2 mg cisplatin + 0.05 mg adrenaline) of gel/cm(3) of tumour. Patients received up to six weekly treatments within an 8 week period. The objective response rate (complete responses [CRs] plus partial responses [PRs]) for all the tumours treated (1-72 per patient) was 53% (130 out of 244; 114 CRs, 16 PRs). The response rate for the target tumours (i.e. each patient's single, most symptomatic, largest or most threatening tumour) was 44%. The median response duration for all tumours was 347 days (range 30-783 days) and median number of treatments per tumour was five (range one to twelve). Systemic toxicity was negligible; local adverse reactions such as erythema, necrosis or pain occurred frequently, but were easily managed in most cases. In conclusion, cisplatin/adrenaline injectable gel was well tolerated, easy to administer, and effective in treating metastatic melanoma confined to the skin or soft tissues.

Adult↗