[A case of malignant melanoma responded to chemotherapy including DTIC and local injection of OK-432].

A 33-year-old woman with malignant melanoma well responded to a chemotherapy including DTIC, ACNU, and VCR, and intralegional injection of OK-432. Four years prior to admission, a lentigo of 5 mm diameter at her left frontal chest was found, but, histological examination resulted in no distinctly malignant findings. In November 1979, multiple subcutaneous tumors appeared over posterior surface of the chest and left axillar region, which were gradually increasing in number and size, then she was admitted to our hospital in June, 1980. Biopsy of subcutaneous tumors revealed a malignant melanoma and its metastasis to skin. Immunochemotherapy was started immediately based upon this diagnoses. The patient received 100mg DTIC i.v. for 4 days, 100mg ACNU i.v. for one day and 1 mg VCR i.v. for one day. OK-432 was locally injected into some tumors as an immunotherapy. On completion of the third course of chemotherapy, all subcutaneous tumors were decreased in size, especially the tumors injected with OK-432. However, patient didn't respond to a repeated chemotherapy, thereafter malignant melanoma was metasized to uterus and peritoneum in May, 1981, and she died in September, 1981. Major side effects of this chemotherapy were nausea and mild transient leukocytopenia. The combination of chemotherapy including DTIC and local injection of OK-432 appeared to be effective for malignant melanoma.