A phase I/II SECSG (Southeastern Cancer Study Group) pilot study of surgical adjuvant immunotherapy with vaccinia melanoma oncolysates (VMO).

Forty-eight patients with nonrecurrent high risk Stage I and II malignant melanoma were treated with Vaccinia Melanoma Oncolysates (VMO). Six different dose levels and two different treatment regimens were tested. Thirty-two out of 48 patients completed the 12 months of therapy. Side effects were mild to moderate. Twenty-eight out of 48 patients remain free from disease with a mean survival of 19 months, while 20/48 patients have recurred with a mean time to recurrence of 6 months.