Does increased experience with isolated limb infusion for advanced limb melanoma influence outcome? A comparison of two treatment periods at a single institution

BACKGROUND: Isolated limb infusion (ILI) with cytotoxic drugs has been used since 1992 to treat advanced melanoma confined to a limb. Over this time the technique has undergone progressive modification. In this study we evaluated our experience with ILI by analyzing outcome and toxicity from an "early" and a "late" treatment period.

METHODS: We compared the results from our institution for 94 patients treated by ILI in the early period (1992-1999) with the results for 91 patients treated in the late period (2000-2007). All patients had advanced limb melanoma and received a combination of melphalan and actinomycin D.

RESULTS: The patient characteristics of the early and late groups were similar, but there was greater tumor load in the late group, who had a significantly greater number of lesions (median 4 vs. 5; p = 0.02) and deeper tumor infiltration (p = 0.03). Drug circulation times were longer in the late group: 22 vs. 31 min (p < 0.0001). In the late group, higher initial and final limb temperatures were achieved. Overall response rates were 85% in both groups. The late treatment group showed a trend towards less toxicity (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS: Response rates and survival following ILI for advanced melanoma in our late treatment period were similar to those of our early treatment period, despite the significantly greater tumor load of the patients treated in the late period. This could be attributed to increased experience and protocol modifications, which allowed longer drug exposure times and higher limb temperatures to be achieved without increased toxicity.