Triple combination chemotherapy of disseminated melanoma

Sixteen patients with disseminated malignant melanoma were treated with triple combination chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, BCNU, and imidazole carboxamide. Ten of 16 patients (62.5%) showed significant response, including two complete responses. These two patients have remained in a state of no measurable disease for 9 and 14 months. Responses were seen in cutaneous, lymph node, and pulmonary metastasis. The two osseous and two hepatic metastases were unaffected by therapy. Even though the drug dosage (especially of the BCNU) was greater than in previous reported studies, the morbidity was acceptable and there was no mortality. The response rate of 62.5%, even in this small group of patients, warrants further study of this combination approach in the treatment of disseminated malignant melanoma.