Phase II trial of 1,4-dihydroxy-5,8-bis((2-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)ethyl)amino 9,10-anthracenedione dihydrochloride)(NSC 301739, DHAD) in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. A Southwest Oncology Group pilot.

Mitoxantrone, an anthracenedione derivative, was administered by members of the Southwest Oncology Group to thirty patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. The drug was administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 min at a starting dose of 12 mg/m2 and repeated every three weeks. Myelosuppression was the major toxicity. As administered, mitoxantrone is not an effective agent in the treatment of malignant melanoma.