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Interferon
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Interferon

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Interferon

  • Post
    • May 26, 2011 at 2:34 am
    gtown
    Participant

      Hey what's up? Just curious, has anyone undergone interferon treatment (high or low dose) if they weren't stage 3? I know the successs rate isn't great but wouldn't it be preventative medicine? I mean what could it hurt . I alluded to the fact that I took it at a a much lower dose for HEP C on another post. I know I'm probably missing some key points here, but from what I've heard it's usually not used unless you're stage 3. Am I wrong? Has anyone used it and not been stage 3? Is it insurance reasons?

      Hey what's up? Just curious, has anyone undergone interferon treatment (high or low dose) if they weren't stage 3? I know the successs rate isn't great but wouldn't it be preventative medicine? I mean what could it hurt . I alluded to the fact that I took it at a a much lower dose for HEP C on another post. I know I'm probably missing some key points here, but from what I've heard it's usually not used unless you're stage 3. Am I wrong? Has anyone used it and not been stage 3? Is it insurance reasons? Are my incessant questions driving everyone to the brink? HaHa

                                                                                                                Gtown

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    • Replies
        • May 26, 2011 at 3:13 am
        Janner
        Participant

          It has occasionally been used for high risk stage II individuals.  I'm not sure if it has been shown to improve anything for stage II, however.  It doesn't improve survival rates for stage III, only delayed recurrence.  It's a very toxic treatment as well as being expensive.  It doesn't have great numbers either.  It's not something to be taken lightly.  Many melanoma centers don't even recommend it for stage III anymore.  It's definitely a personal choice, but most wouldn't even consider taking this treatment without being stage III.  Also, insurance may not pay for it unless your staging justifies it.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          • May 26, 2011 at 3:13 am
          Janner
          Participant

            It has occasionally been used for high risk stage II individuals.  I'm not sure if it has been shown to improve anything for stage II, however.  It doesn't improve survival rates for stage III, only delayed recurrence.  It's a very toxic treatment as well as being expensive.  It doesn't have great numbers either.  It's not something to be taken lightly.  Many melanoma centers don't even recommend it for stage III anymore.  It's definitely a personal choice, but most wouldn't even consider taking this treatment without being stage III.  Also, insurance may not pay for it unless your staging justifies it.

            Best wishes,

            Janner

            • May 26, 2011 at 11:31 am
            FormerCaregiver
            Participant

              I would just like to agree with Janner on this. Although people would really like to
              believe otherwise, interferon treatment for melanoma has not been shown to be
              beneficial for most people. As mentioned, it doesn't improve survival rates for
              stage III. The published clinical data supports this. It is very toxic at the doses
              used and it can cause serious side effects in some cases.

              Fortunately, melanoma research is advancing and there are better options becoming
              available depending on eligibility criteria and stage.

              Kind regards

              Frank from Australia

              • May 26, 2011 at 11:31 am
              FormerCaregiver
              Participant

                I would just like to agree with Janner on this. Although people would really like to
                believe otherwise, interferon treatment for melanoma has not been shown to be
                beneficial for most people. As mentioned, it doesn't improve survival rates for
                stage III. The published clinical data supports this. It is very toxic at the doses
                used and it can cause serious side effects in some cases.

                Fortunately, melanoma research is advancing and there are better options becoming
                available depending on eligibility criteria and stage.

                Kind regards

                Frank from Australia

                • May 26, 2011 at 12:49 pm
                TracyLee
                Participant

                  Is interferon the same as interlukon? (IL-2)?

                    • May 26, 2011 at 12:59 pm
                    lhaley
                    Participant

                      Tracy,

                      Interfuron is used as an adjunct therapy for stage 3 given while the patient is NED, and it's also combined in a cocktail for biochemotherapy for stage IV (some on this board have had the cocktail at stage 3).  IL2 is a stage IV drug that is given on a program that includes a stay in the hospital either in an IL2 unit or intensive care for a week at a time.

                      Linda

                      • May 26, 2011 at 12:59 pm
                      lhaley
                      Participant

                        Tracy,

                        Interfuron is used as an adjunct therapy for stage 3 given while the patient is NED, and it's also combined in a cocktail for biochemotherapy for stage IV (some on this board have had the cocktail at stage 3).  IL2 is a stage IV drug that is given on a program that includes a stay in the hospital either in an IL2 unit or intensive care for a week at a time.

                        Linda

                        • May 26, 2011 at 1:10 pm
                        FormerCaregiver
                        Participant

                          They are different drugs. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interferon
                          and http://www.tirgan.com/intrluk.htm

                          Unfortunately, they both have significant side effects.

                          All the best

                          Frank from Australia

                          • May 26, 2011 at 1:10 pm
                          FormerCaregiver
                          Participant

                            They are different drugs. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interferon
                            and http://www.tirgan.com/intrluk.htm

                            Unfortunately, they both have significant side effects.

                            All the best

                            Frank from Australia

                          • May 26, 2011 at 12:49 pm
                          TracyLee
                          Participant

                            Is interferon the same as interlukon? (IL-2)?

                            • May 26, 2011 at 3:36 pm
                            scots
                            Participant

                              I'm stage 2 and currently 6 months into interferon LD.  I also went through several treatments of radiation to the back of my head where the melanoma was removed.  I agree with others here that interferon is no picnic.  I did not have any problems with insurance paying for the interferon treatments. 

                              scot  

                              • May 26, 2011 at 3:36 pm
                              scots
                              Participant

                                I'm stage 2 and currently 6 months into interferon LD.  I also went through several treatments of radiation to the back of my head where the melanoma was removed.  I agree with others here that interferon is no picnic.  I did not have any problems with insurance paying for the interferon treatments. 

                                scot  

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