Carboplatinum and cytosine arabinoside in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma. A phase II study.

Eighteen patients with disseminated malignant melanoma were treated with a combination of carboplatinum and cytosine arabinoside. There were 14 males and 4 females with median age of 51 years (range 36-68 years). We observed 4 complete responses (CR) and 3 partial responses (PR). Lung metastases, cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases responded more often, while liver and lymph node metastases did not respond. Two groups of toxicities were observed: gastrointestinal and hematological. Only nine grade 3 toxicities were observed. Response rates and low toxicity we observed during this study warrant its use for patients with disseminated malignant melanoma comparing it in a future studies with DTIC containing regimens.