Esorubicin (deoxydoxorubicin) has low grade activity in malignant melanoma. Results of an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study (EST 2685).

In this phase II trial, twenty patients with advanced, measurable melanoma from ECOG institutions were treated with esorubicin 30 mg/m2 iv every three weeks. Doses were escalated or reduced based on nadir counts. The dose limiting toxicity was leukopenia with no significant thrombocytopenia or anemia. Other toxicities were mild. One patient had skin necrosis with extravasation. Two patients with soft tissue disease had partial remissions and were treated with 9 and 17 courses. One patient was stable for 8 courses. No cardiac toxicity was seen in three patients receiving more than 150 mg/m2. The response rate was 10% (90% CI = 2 to 30%). Low level activity was seen, but it is unlikely that this drug has sufficient activity to warrant further development in melanoma.