Nick Maraveyias

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

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

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

Thank you again Jerry, you have been most helpful.

You are definitely not a statistic. 

Best,

Nick

Thank you again Jerry, you have been most helpful.

You are definitely not a statistic. 

Best,

Nick

Thank you again Jerry, you have been most helpful.

You are definitely not a statistic. 

Best,

Nick

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

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

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