Cisplatin, gemcitabine and treosulfan is effective in chemotherapy-pretreated relapsed stage IV uveal melanoma patients.

Purpose: The efficacy of cisplatin, gemcitabine, and treosulfan (CGT) was evaluated in patients with chemotherapy pretreated relapsed AJCC stage IV uveal malignant melanoma.

Methods: Patients received i.v./intrahepatic cisplatin, i.v. gemcitabine, and i.v. treosulfan (CGT) on day 1 and 8 as first-line (n = 1), second-line (n = 9), third-line (n = 1) or fourth-line (n = 1) therapy. Cisplatin, gemcitabine, and treosulfan (CGT)-therapy was repeated every 5 weeks until progression of disease occurred. A maximum of six CGT-cycles (mean, 2 cycles) was administered per patient.

Results: No objective response was observed, six patients (50%) had stable disease and six (50%) patients progressed upon first reevaluation. Overall survival of all the 12 patients was 6 months. Patients with stable disease reached a median overall survival of 12 months, while patients with disease progression upon first reevaluation had a median overall survival of 4 months, only. Grade III/IV related hematotological side effects were experienced in six (leukopenia) and four (thrombocytopenia) patients.

Conclusions: Treatment with CGT may lead to disease stabilization and prolonged survival in a substantial proportion of progressive stage IV uveal melanoma patients, even following heavy chemotherapy treatment.