Intralesional IL-2 promising for cutaneous melanoma metastases

(HealthDay)—Patients with cutaneous melanoma metastases have excellent response to intralesional interleukin 2 (IL-2) administered concomitantly with topical imiquimod and a retinoid cream, according to a case series published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Vivian Y. Shi, M.D., from the University of California in Davis, and colleagues examined the effectiveness of intralesional IL-2 combined with topical imiquimod and a retinoid cream in a retrospective case series of 11 patients with cutaneous metastatic melanoma.

The researchers found that for all 11 patients treated with this proposed regimen there was a 100 percent complete local response rate with long-term follow-up (average of 24 months). Absence of malignant cells was confirmed with biopsy specimens of treated sites. Rigors was the most common treatment-related adverse event.

"Intralesional IL-2 administered concomitantly with topical imiquimod and a retinoid cream is a promising therapeutic option for managing cutaneous melanoma metastases," the authors write. "The regimen was well tolerated and should be considered as a reasonable alternative to surgical excision."

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