BCG immunotherapy as a systemic adjunct to surgery in malignant melanoma.

Results of our study suggest that BCG systemic adjuvant immunotherapy may be effective for improving both the recurrence and survival rates in patients with regional metastases from malignant melanoma. BCG is more effective in patients with small amounts of subclinical disease. It is apparent from results of clinical trials that many of the principles derived from the study of animal tumor systems are applicable to human cancer in that immunotherapy is most effective for a small residual number of tumor cells. BCG treatment fulfills many of the ideal criteria for adjuvant treatment following surgery. It is relatively nontoxic; it is effective for disseminated melanoma; it has systemic activity in the adjuvant treatment of subclinical metastases. Hwever, until clinical trials are complete, this treatment as adjuvant therapy must be considered investigational.