Interferon treatment US vs EU
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Interferon treatment US vs EU

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Interferon treatment US vs EU

  • Post
    • November 15, 2011 at 11:05 pm
    Nick Maraveyias
    Participant

    Hello all.

    Lost a 50 year old brother (in law) to melanoma a couple of months ago and now my 49 year old brother has been diagnosed 3b.  He lives in Greece. 

    Docs in EU seem to not favor interferon treatment.  Recommendations are for "optional" interferon for one month, "stop if you are feeling bad" kind of thing.  My brother in law did interferon for a whole year, 5 years ago, here in the US.  Cancer came back almost one year to the day of completing interferon treatment.

     

    Hello all.

    Lost a 50 year old brother (in law) to melanoma a couple of months ago and now my 49 year old brother has been diagnosed 3b.  He lives in Greece. 

    Docs in EU seem to not favor interferon treatment.  Recommendations are for "optional" interferon for one month, "stop if you are feeling bad" kind of thing.  My brother in law did interferon for a whole year, 5 years ago, here in the US.  Cancer came back almost one year to the day of completing interferon treatment.

     

    Can anyone advise as to any recent data comparing effectiveness of interferon treatments of varied durations?

     

    Thank you,

    Nick

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • November 16, 2011 at 12:12 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      http://skincancer.about.com/b/2009/02/08/one-month-of-interferon-as-good-as-one-year.htm

      Is One Month of Interferon as Good as One Year?

      From Timothy DiChiara, Ph.D., About.com Guide   February 8, 2009

      A recently published phase III clinical trial has found that the typical lengthy course of interferon-alfa2b (IFN) for the treatment of high-risk melanoma may not be necessary after all. IFN is the only approved post-surgery treatment for stage IIB, IIC and III melanoma,. It is given at a high dose for one month in a hospital (the "induction" phase), then at a lower dose for a full year at home (the "maintenance" phase). Needless to say, this can be a long ordeal, with common side effects including severe flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

      A team of Greek researchers looked at 364 patients with melanoma for six years, half of which were given just the short induction dose and the other half given the full year-long course. The results showed that there was no difference in relapse-free survival or overall survival between the two groups.

      ****************************************

      http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/…/page9

       

      ******************************************

      http://www.primeoncology.org/2011/OncoReview_2011/Melanoma.pdf

      Look at the Look at the slides for STANDARD VERSUS PEGYLATED INTERFERON.

      *****************************************************************

      http://www.alcancercongress.org/documents/ASCOMedicalOncologyUpdate-MelanomaDr.Lawson.pdf

      good luck.

      Hope this info helps.

        • November 16, 2011 at 12:21 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        One mor item.  Why does it work on some and not others?

        http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=40&abstractID=32435

        Conclusions: Statistical significant differences were seen in HLA-A and HLA-B alleles between the patients with high-risk melanoma free of recurrence and those who recurred after treatment with adjuvant interferon. Additionally, differences were seen between healthy controls and melanoma patients free of recurrence.

        • November 16, 2011 at 12:21 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        One mor item.  Why does it work on some and not others?

        http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=40&abstractID=32435

        Conclusions: Statistical significant differences were seen in HLA-A and HLA-B alleles between the patients with high-risk melanoma free of recurrence and those who recurred after treatment with adjuvant interferon. Additionally, differences were seen between healthy controls and melanoma patients free of recurrence.

        • November 16, 2011 at 12:21 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        One mor item.  Why does it work on some and not others?

        http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=40&abstractID=32435

        Conclusions: Statistical significant differences were seen in HLA-A and HLA-B alleles between the patients with high-risk melanoma free of recurrence and those who recurred after treatment with adjuvant interferon. Additionally, differences were seen between healthy controls and melanoma patients free of recurrence.

        • November 16, 2011 at 2:35 am
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Very helpful Jerry.  Much appreciated.

        Are you familiar with the following study:

        http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&cdrid=66727

        This conclusion:

        E-1697, a randomized, multicenter, national trial evaluated high-dose intravenous interferon for a short duration (1 mo) versus observation in patients with node-negative melanoma at least 2 mm in thickness or with any thickness and positive sentinel nodes. This trial was closed at interim analysis because of the lack of benefit from treatment with interferon

        is repeated in the 2011 ASCO update on melanoma presentation you provided page 22.  Seems to question the applicability of one month induction IFN treatment vs. observation.

        Also, do you have a reference to the Greek researcher study you mentioned above?  I would like to review the source if possible.

        Thank you,

        Nick

        • November 16, 2011 at 2:35 am
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Very helpful Jerry.  Much appreciated.

        Are you familiar with the following study:

        http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&cdrid=66727

        This conclusion:

        E-1697, a randomized, multicenter, national trial evaluated high-dose intravenous interferon for a short duration (1 mo) versus observation in patients with node-negative melanoma at least 2 mm in thickness or with any thickness and positive sentinel nodes. This trial was closed at interim analysis because of the lack of benefit from treatment with interferon

        is repeated in the 2011 ASCO update on melanoma presentation you provided page 22.  Seems to question the applicability of one month induction IFN treatment vs. observation.

        Also, do you have a reference to the Greek researcher study you mentioned above?  I would like to review the source if possible.

        Thank you,

        Nick

        • November 16, 2011 at 6:11 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        Nick, As many here know, I am not a particuar proponent of interferon.  From what reading I have done, it appears that iterferon may provide up to a fifty fold increase in the immune system in 5% of the people in tests and that in 9% it may increase the likelihood of re-ocurance within a year.  One big question to me is who will it do what to?  The referenced url discussing a relationshhip to HLA-A2 seems to be a start in answering this question. I ruled out my usage of interferon, but do not fault one that feels it is the best for them.  It has helped some.  I just want to know who it is likely to help ahead of trying it myself..  All the talk when it was available to me was about doing a full year of it.  I contacted too many mates whose mates had tried things that took too long to finish the treatment, to tell if their treatment worked, and then to recover from their treatment so I was actually not upset when I quickly went to Stage IV in Feb 2007 which really only had IL-2 as a possible long term response/cure or even with over a 1% chance of providing a partial response.

         

         

        Reference for the source of the study   .Pectasides D, et al. "Randomized Phase III Study of 1 Month Versus 1 Year of Adjuvant High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b in Patients With Resected High-Risk Melanoma." 2009 Jan 12. J Clin Oncol. 6 February 2009.

        The dollowiing URL discuss additional European status of Intrferon. and the Pectasides report.

        http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695706/

          following are possible sources for contactiing Timothy Dichiara

        http://jobnet.com/TimothyDichiara

        Institute for Medical Education & Research / Senior Medical Writer

        Employer

        Institute for Medical Education & Research
        City & State

        Miami, FL
        Position

        Senior Medical Writer
        Dates

        October, 2007 – Current

        12000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 300, Miami, Florida 33181
        Telephone: 877-238-8666 Facsimile: 877-956-9718
        http://www.imeronline.com

         

        Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD | LinkedIn

        http://www.linkedin.com/in/timdichiara
        Seattle, Washington – Experienced Medical Educator

        Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD's Overview. Current. Senior Medical Writer / Scientific Liaison at Institute for Medical Education and Research (Medco Health). Past …

         

        JobNet – Timothy DiChiara, PhD in Lovingston, VA 22949

        jobnet.com/TimothyDichiara

        Timothy DiChiara, PhD in Lovingston, VA 22949, , Research Scientist at Duke … Institute for Medical Education & Research. City & State. Miami, FL …

        • November 16, 2011 at 6:11 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        Nick, As many here know, I am not a particuar proponent of interferon.  From what reading I have done, it appears that iterferon may provide up to a fifty fold increase in the immune system in 5% of the people in tests and that in 9% it may increase the likelihood of re-ocurance within a year.  One big question to me is who will it do what to?  The referenced url discussing a relationshhip to HLA-A2 seems to be a start in answering this question. I ruled out my usage of interferon, but do not fault one that feels it is the best for them.  It has helped some.  I just want to know who it is likely to help ahead of trying it myself..  All the talk when it was available to me was about doing a full year of it.  I contacted too many mates whose mates had tried things that took too long to finish the treatment, to tell if their treatment worked, and then to recover from their treatment so I was actually not upset when I quickly went to Stage IV in Feb 2007 which really only had IL-2 as a possible long term response/cure or even with over a 1% chance of providing a partial response.

         

         

        Reference for the source of the study   .Pectasides D, et al. "Randomized Phase III Study of 1 Month Versus 1 Year of Adjuvant High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b in Patients With Resected High-Risk Melanoma." 2009 Jan 12. J Clin Oncol. 6 February 2009.

        The dollowiing URL discuss additional European status of Intrferon. and the Pectasides report.

        http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695706/

          following are possible sources for contactiing Timothy Dichiara

        http://jobnet.com/TimothyDichiara

        Institute for Medical Education & Research / Senior Medical Writer

        Employer

        Institute for Medical Education & Research
        City & State

        Miami, FL
        Position

        Senior Medical Writer
        Dates

        October, 2007 – Current

        12000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 300, Miami, Florida 33181
        Telephone: 877-238-8666 Facsimile: 877-956-9718
        http://www.imeronline.com

         

        Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD | LinkedIn

        http://www.linkedin.com/in/timdichiara
        Seattle, Washington – Experienced Medical Educator

        Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD's Overview. Current. Senior Medical Writer / Scientific Liaison at Institute for Medical Education and Research (Medco Health). Past …

         

        JobNet – Timothy DiChiara, PhD in Lovingston, VA 22949

        jobnet.com/TimothyDichiara

        Timothy DiChiara, PhD in Lovingston, VA 22949, , Research Scientist at Duke … Institute for Medical Education & Research. City & State. Miami, FL …

        • November 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Thank you again Jerry, you have been most helpful.

        You are definitely not a statistic. 

        Best,

        Nick

        • November 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Thank you again Jerry, you have been most helpful.

        You are definitely not a statistic. 

        Best,

        Nick

        • November 17, 2011 at 12:18 pm
        lhaley
        Participant

        Nick,

        I did not take interfuron, went from stage 1 to stage IV and really not an option 5 years ago.   However, in a recent (maybe about 10 months ago) discussion with my surgeon he told me that there were problems with the trial in Greece and the science world does believe that the year – 1 hd and then 11 low month injections is back to those thoughts.   I wish I had proof of this for you. 

        My surgeon is an immunologist and when he removed that particular node I was NED and he brought this up to me because he was taking it to the tumor board to consider this even though I was stage IV.  Ended up not being recommended but that piece of info was passed on to me.  

        Linda

        • November 17, 2011 at 3:29 pm
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Thank you Linda.  I have looked further into the Greek study and your surgeon is correct.  That study utilized lower doses than standard during both the induction and maintenance phases of the treatment.  Perhaps they demonstrated that for that level of dosing there was no statistically significant difference in response between one month and one year, however since no one recommends or administers those doses it is of little value to actual patients.  This year's ASCO melanoma update specifies that there is no evidence of one month use having same response as the standard year long administration practice.

        Thankfully my brother's second oncologist (he did not like the first one) is of the 1 year IFN treatment school.

        The only remaining question is can anyone determine with any certainty if a patient is a good or bad fit for IFN treatment?  Once again 2011 ASCO update says no, but there is a lot of debate in that area.

        Thank you again for helping us and may God bless you.

        Nick

        • November 17, 2011 at 3:29 pm
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Thank you Linda.  I have looked further into the Greek study and your surgeon is correct.  That study utilized lower doses than standard during both the induction and maintenance phases of the treatment.  Perhaps they demonstrated that for that level of dosing there was no statistically significant difference in response between one month and one year, however since no one recommends or administers those doses it is of little value to actual patients.  This year's ASCO melanoma update specifies that there is no evidence of one month use having same response as the standard year long administration practice.

        Thankfully my brother's second oncologist (he did not like the first one) is of the 1 year IFN treatment school.

        The only remaining question is can anyone determine with any certainty if a patient is a good or bad fit for IFN treatment?  Once again 2011 ASCO update says no, but there is a lot of debate in that area.

        Thank you again for helping us and may God bless you.

        Nick

        • November 17, 2011 at 3:29 pm
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Thank you Linda.  I have looked further into the Greek study and your surgeon is correct.  That study utilized lower doses than standard during both the induction and maintenance phases of the treatment.  Perhaps they demonstrated that for that level of dosing there was no statistically significant difference in response between one month and one year, however since no one recommends or administers those doses it is of little value to actual patients.  This year's ASCO melanoma update specifies that there is no evidence of one month use having same response as the standard year long administration practice.

        Thankfully my brother's second oncologist (he did not like the first one) is of the 1 year IFN treatment school.

        The only remaining question is can anyone determine with any certainty if a patient is a good or bad fit for IFN treatment?  Once again 2011 ASCO update says no, but there is a lot of debate in that area.

        Thank you again for helping us and may God bless you.

        Nick

        • November 17, 2011 at 12:18 pm
        lhaley
        Participant

        Nick,

        I did not take interfuron, went from stage 1 to stage IV and really not an option 5 years ago.   However, in a recent (maybe about 10 months ago) discussion with my surgeon he told me that there were problems with the trial in Greece and the science world does believe that the year – 1 hd and then 11 low month injections is back to those thoughts.   I wish I had proof of this for you. 

        My surgeon is an immunologist and when he removed that particular node I was NED and he brought this up to me because he was taking it to the tumor board to consider this even though I was stage IV.  Ended up not being recommended but that piece of info was passed on to me.  

        Linda

        • November 17, 2011 at 12:18 pm
        lhaley
        Participant

        Nick,

        I did not take interfuron, went from stage 1 to stage IV and really not an option 5 years ago.   However, in a recent (maybe about 10 months ago) discussion with my surgeon he told me that there were problems with the trial in Greece and the science world does believe that the year – 1 hd and then 11 low month injections is back to those thoughts.   I wish I had proof of this for you. 

        My surgeon is an immunologist and when he removed that particular node I was NED and he brought this up to me because he was taking it to the tumor board to consider this even though I was stage IV.  Ended up not being recommended but that piece of info was passed on to me.  

        Linda

        • November 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Thank you again Jerry, you have been most helpful.

        You are definitely not a statistic. 

        Best,

        Nick

        • November 16, 2011 at 6:11 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        Nick, As many here know, I am not a particuar proponent of interferon.  From what reading I have done, it appears that iterferon may provide up to a fifty fold increase in the immune system in 5% of the people in tests and that in 9% it may increase the likelihood of re-ocurance within a year.  One big question to me is who will it do what to?  The referenced url discussing a relationshhip to HLA-A2 seems to be a start in answering this question. I ruled out my usage of interferon, but do not fault one that feels it is the best for them.  It has helped some.  I just want to know who it is likely to help ahead of trying it myself..  All the talk when it was available to me was about doing a full year of it.  I contacted too many mates whose mates had tried things that took too long to finish the treatment, to tell if their treatment worked, and then to recover from their treatment so I was actually not upset when I quickly went to Stage IV in Feb 2007 which really only had IL-2 as a possible long term response/cure or even with over a 1% chance of providing a partial response.

         

         

        Reference for the source of the study   .Pectasides D, et al. "Randomized Phase III Study of 1 Month Versus 1 Year of Adjuvant High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b in Patients With Resected High-Risk Melanoma." 2009 Jan 12. J Clin Oncol. 6 February 2009.

        The dollowiing URL discuss additional European status of Intrferon. and the Pectasides report.

        http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695706/

          following are possible sources for contactiing Timothy Dichiara

        http://jobnet.com/TimothyDichiara

        Institute for Medical Education & Research / Senior Medical Writer

        Employer

        Institute for Medical Education & Research
        City & State

        Miami, FL
        Position

        Senior Medical Writer
        Dates

        October, 2007 – Current

        12000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 300, Miami, Florida 33181
        Telephone: 877-238-8666 Facsimile: 877-956-9718
        http://www.imeronline.com

         

        Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD | LinkedIn

        http://www.linkedin.com/in/timdichiara
        Seattle, Washington – Experienced Medical Educator

        Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD's Overview. Current. Senior Medical Writer / Scientific Liaison at Institute for Medical Education and Research (Medco Health). Past …

         

        JobNet – Timothy DiChiara, PhD in Lovingston, VA 22949

        jobnet.com/TimothyDichiara

        Timothy DiChiara, PhD in Lovingston, VA 22949, , Research Scientist at Duke … Institute for Medical Education & Research. City & State. Miami, FL …

        • November 16, 2011 at 2:35 am
        Nick Maraveyias
        Participant

        Very helpful Jerry.  Much appreciated.

        Are you familiar with the following study:

        http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&cdrid=66727

        This conclusion:

        E-1697, a randomized, multicenter, national trial evaluated high-dose intravenous interferon for a short duration (1 mo) versus observation in patients with node-negative melanoma at least 2 mm in thickness or with any thickness and positive sentinel nodes. This trial was closed at interim analysis because of the lack of benefit from treatment with interferon

        is repeated in the 2011 ASCO update on melanoma presentation you provided page 22.  Seems to question the applicability of one month induction IFN treatment vs. observation.

        Also, do you have a reference to the Greek researcher study you mentioned above?  I would like to review the source if possible.

        Thank you,

        Nick

      • November 16, 2011 at 12:12 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      http://skincancer.about.com/b/2009/02/08/one-month-of-interferon-as-good-as-one-year.htm

      Is One Month of Interferon as Good as One Year?

      From Timothy DiChiara, Ph.D., About.com Guide   February 8, 2009

      A recently published phase III clinical trial has found that the typical lengthy course of interferon-alfa2b (IFN) for the treatment of high-risk melanoma may not be necessary after all. IFN is the only approved post-surgery treatment for stage IIB, IIC and III melanoma,. It is given at a high dose for one month in a hospital (the "induction" phase), then at a lower dose for a full year at home (the "maintenance" phase). Needless to say, this can be a long ordeal, with common side effects including severe flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

      A team of Greek researchers looked at 364 patients with melanoma for six years, half of which were given just the short induction dose and the other half given the full year-long course. The results showed that there was no difference in relapse-free survival or overall survival between the two groups.

      ****************************************

      http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/…/page9

       

      ******************************************

      http://www.primeoncology.org/2011/OncoReview_2011/Melanoma.pdf

      Look at the Look at the slides for STANDARD VERSUS PEGYLATED INTERFERON.

      *****************************************************************

      http://www.alcancercongress.org/documents/ASCOMedicalOncologyUpdate-MelanomaDr.Lawson.pdf

      good luck.

      Hope this info helps.

      • November 16, 2011 at 12:12 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      http://skincancer.about.com/b/2009/02/08/one-month-of-interferon-as-good-as-one-year.htm

      Is One Month of Interferon as Good as One Year?

      From Timothy DiChiara, Ph.D., About.com Guide   February 8, 2009

      A recently published phase III clinical trial has found that the typical lengthy course of interferon-alfa2b (IFN) for the treatment of high-risk melanoma may not be necessary after all. IFN is the only approved post-surgery treatment for stage IIB, IIC and III melanoma,. It is given at a high dose for one month in a hospital (the "induction" phase), then at a lower dose for a full year at home (the "maintenance" phase). Needless to say, this can be a long ordeal, with common side effects including severe flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

      A team of Greek researchers looked at 364 patients with melanoma for six years, half of which were given just the short induction dose and the other half given the full year-long course. The results showed that there was no difference in relapse-free survival or overall survival between the two groups.

      ****************************************

      http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/…/page9

       

      ******************************************

      http://www.primeoncology.org/2011/OncoReview_2011/Melanoma.pdf

      Look at the Look at the slides for STANDARD VERSUS PEGYLATED INTERFERON.

      *****************************************************************

      http://www.alcancercongress.org/documents/ASCOMedicalOncologyUpdate-MelanomaDr.Lawson.pdf

      good luck.

      Hope this info helps.

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