Cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin in the treatment of metastatic melanoma: a phase II study of the Southeastern Cancer Study Group.

Fifty-one patients with metastatic melanoma were treated with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin. Of the 50 evaluable patients, 11 (22%) achieved an objective response, including three complete (6%) and eight partial (16%) responses. Four of the 11 responding patients had previously received dacarbazine; the remaining patients had received no prior chemotherapy. Responses were noted in cutaneous and lymph node sites as well as visceral metastases. However, with one exception, all responding patients with visceral involvement had lung metastases. Response durations were brief and toxicity was substantial. Nadir leukocyte counts less than 0.5 X 10(9)/L occurred in 28% of the patients. Debilitating neurotoxicity, primarily paralytic ileus, and severe nausea and emesis were experienced by 24% of the patients. The combination of cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin is not sufficiently beneficial to warrant its use in metastatic melanoma.