Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
Claire Temple-Oberle
Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
Background:After treating 21 patients with isolated limb infusion, a less complication- prone modality was sought for the treatment of in transit melanoma metastases. Purpose:To investigate the role of intra-lesional interleukin-2 (IL-2) injection for treatment of in transit melanoma. Methods:Consecutive patients with in transit metastases were treated with intra-lesional IL-2 injections. Two independent observers evaluated response to treatment using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. A blinded pathologist confirmed clinical response with post-treatment biopsies. Results:Thirty-nine patients were included. Patients received biweekly IL-2 injections. At each treatment session, a mean of 2.08 mL (5 mu/mL) of IL-2 were distributed amongst a mean of 12 (range 1 to 57) in transit lesions. Patients were followed for an average of 30.4 months (range 2.2 to 66.6 months). The overall patient response rate was 82%. A complete response was obtained in 20 patients (51%), a partial response in 12 (31%), and no response in seven (18%). Of the 629 in transit metastases, 479 (76%) completely resolved. Complete responders had a significant in transit-free (p=0.0005) and an overall (p=0.012) survival advantage compared with partial responders. Conclusions:The treatment of in transit metastatic melanoma with intra-lesional IL-2 resulted in a 76% percent clearance of lesions. Complete response is associated with superior in transit-free and overall survival when compared with partial response.
Dr. Temple-Oberle is an associate professor of oncology and surgery at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta... She specializes in cutaneous oncology and microsurgical oncologic reconstruction. Dr. Temple-Oberle completed her plastic surgery training at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, her master?s of science in epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, and her reconstructive and oncology fellowships at MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Hosuton Texas, and at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary Alberta, respectively. Her research interests include surgical outcomes and surgical education. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and serves as an editorial board member for the European Journal of Surgical Oncology.