In:
Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Wiley, Vol. 63, No. 7 ( 2016-07), p. 1207-1213
Abstract:
Pegylated interferon α‐2b (IFN α‐2b) improves disease‐free survival in adults with resected stage III melanoma. We conducted a study to determine the feasibility and safety of incorporating pegylated IFN α‐2b as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of children and adolescents with high‐risk melanoma. Pharmacokinetic studies of IFN α‐2b and neuropsychological and quality of life (OL) assessments were performed. Patient and Methods Eligible patients with resected American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage IIC, IIIA, and IIIB cutaneous melanoma received nonpegylated IFN α‐2b 20 million units/m 2 /day intravenously 5 days per week for 4 weeks (induction) followed by pegylated IFN α‐2b 1 μg/kg/dose weekly subcutaneously (SQ) for 48 weeks (maintenance). Results Twenty‐three patients (15 females, median age 10 years) were enrolled. All patients completed induction therapy; five patients did not complete maintenance therapy either because of recurrent disease (n = 2) or toxicity (n = 3). The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities of pegylated IFN α‐2b were neutropenia (35%) and elevated liver transaminases (17%). The median nonpegylated IFN α‐2b AUC 0‐∞ (5,026 pcg⋅hr/ml) was similar to adults. The median pegylated IFN α‐2b exposure (48,480 pcg⋅hr/ml) was greater than the cumulative weekly exposure for nonpegylated IFN α‐2b administered SQ three times per week (TIW). Validated measures demonstrated an improvement in QOL scores and no decline in psychological functioning over the course of therapy. Conclusions Pegylated IFN α‐2b 1 μg/kg/dose SQ weekly as maintenance therapy in children and adolescents with high‐risk melanoma is feasible with tolerable toxicity and appears to yield higher exposures than nonpegylated IFN α‐2b administered SQ TIW.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1545-5009
,
1545-5017
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2016
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2131448-2
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2130978-4
