Combination cytotoxic chemotherapy with CCNU, procarbazine, and vincristine in disseminated cutaneous malignant melanoma: 3 years, followup.

Thirty patients with disseminated cutaneous malignant melanoma were treated with a three-drug cytotoxic chemotherapy program consisting of CCNU, procarbazine, and vincristine. Eighteen of 30 patients (60%) showed objective regressions, including ten complete responses (33%). Responders had cutaneous, nodal, and/or pulmonary involvement, but objective regressions were not achieved in patients with hepatic or brain metastases. The median response duration was 8 months and the median survival of the responders was 20 months compared to 5 months for nonresponders. These promising preliminary results require confirmation.