Counterpoint: The case against adjuvant high-dose interferon-alpha for melanoma patients Journal Article
| Author: | Chapman, P. B. |
| Article Title: | Counterpoint: The case against adjuvant high-dose interferon-alpha for melanoma patients |
| Abstract: | High dose interferon-α (HD IFN) is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for adjuvant treatment of patients with stage III melanoma after complete surgical resection. Despite this, clinicians and patients around the world and in many parts of the US have failed to embrace this treatment option because of the lack of overall survival benefit and minimal other clinical benefits seen in randomized trials, combined with the therapy's substantial toxicity. This article reviews the data from the randomized trials that lead to this conclusion and discuss why arguments often advanced in favor of using HD IFN are not persuasive. New treatment options are needed for adjuvant therapy of melanoma. In the meantime, the data from the randomized trials make it difficult for many clinicians and patients to have enthusiasm for adjuvant HD IFN. Copyright © 2004 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. All rights reserved. |
| Keywords: | antineoplastic agents; chemotherapy, adjuvant; antineoplastic agent; alpha2b interferon; melanoma; randomized controlled trial; randomized controlled trials as topic; pathology; immunology; adjuvant chemotherapy; meta-analysis as topic; meta analysis; interferon-α; randomized trials; survival rates; interferon alfa-2b; adjuvant immunotherapy; humans; human; article |
| Journal Title: | Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| ISSN: | 1540-1405 |
| Publisher: | Harborside Press |
| Date Published: | 2004-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 69 |
| End Page: | 72 |
| Language: | English |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 19777696 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | JNCCN J. Nat. Compr. Cancer Netw. -- Cited By (since 1996):4 -- Export Date: 16 June 2014 -- Source: Scopus |
