Failure of adjuvant immunotherapy to prevent central nervous system metastases in malignant melanoma patients.

A review of our experience using BCG immunotherapy as a postsurgical adjunct in the treatment of melanoma shows that the incidence of systemic metastases appears to have been reduced. However, central nervous system (CNS) metastases continue to develop in these patients and represent the single most frequent cause of death. Serial studies of immune competence in these patients reveal that those with CNS metastases usually retain normal immune responses, whereas those with metastases at other sites exhibit progressive immunosuppression with advancing disease.